Goodbye teacher, hello broadband
Controversies generated by the ZTE NBN deal have risen up many issues. One of the options of this deal is Cyber Ed, which suggest the use of the latest technology in teaching. The "Text to Teach" (T2T) is being tried out in many regions with about 900,000 pupils, 204 schools, 12 cities and provinces participating. This was according to a report in Manila Bulletin dated November 11, 2007.
T2T uses computers and broadband in delivering modules which can be downloaded after texting the participating agencies. This project is participated in by Nokia Philippines, Ayala Foundation, Seameo-Innotech and Globe Telecom. T2T works fast and simple. The teacher just sends a text message to Globe number to order teaching materials in the form of video, pictures, text or audio files. Another program partner, Dream Cable, downloads the requested materials to a Nokia Media Master, a multi-media box cable of storing files which is attached to the TV inside the classroom. A few seconds later, the teacher is ready to teach with the materials she ordered.
T2T as a delivery system for mass education uses self-instructional materials which belong to the generic of modules, self-learning package, self-instructional materials, computer-aided-self learning and many others. There is strict uniformity in the materials. The lessons and, evaluation strategies have been prepared in, along with audio-visual aids which can be downloaded through texting the agency concerned.
There are many controversies adherent to the use of T2T system. The total educational system in the traditional sense involves the school administrators, the teachers, pupils and parents.
The effects of T2T are indicated in the following persons or situations:
A. Teachers
Like any self-instructional system the teacher does not participate much in pupil-teacher interaction. Like a janitor she opens the classroom, equipped with computers, assigns pupils to their machine and prepares the machine to teach the pupils. Her work is a monotonous routine and boring to death. She then prepares and chooses lessons for the day ans sends text messages to the appropriate agency. The teacher becomes a facilitator. Although teaching means instructing, leading and guiding the pupils for the acquisition of knowledge, skills and values. Preparing the classroom environment is the environment of uneasy silence. The teacher may check on the comfort of the pupil or any simple breakdown in the machine. The teacher cannot exercise her creativity; because lessons and visual aids have been prepared for him. The machine delivers the system of knowledge through the broadband. Iit can be said that the teacher is just a watcher. There is no teacher-student interaction and all learning is mechanical. There is no challenge for teachers to create problem solutions. It seems as if the system reduces the teacher to a robot, although a teacher is paid about P12,000 not including many other benefits. Perhaps in the extreme cases their salaries maybe reduced to finance the T2T system.
B. Students
Since T2T is a generic of an individualized instruction; the concept of self is dominant. In individual instructions student learn by himself; studies at his own pace; making lessons a challenge against his abilities. He does not compete with others, thus all evaluation is criterion reference.
Since lifeless machines are their teachers, they miss the pleasant smile of Ma'am and Sir when they make a correct answer and also miss the sarcastic smirk of the teacher when they make a wrong response. Machines do not have gestures, they respond in print. Students will also miss the uncontrollable laughter of the whole class when the humorous incident occurs. Machines do not laugh or smile.
Every student is eager to get an immediate feedback on his answer in a teacher-student interaction. The teacher can immediately give feedback on a correct or wrong answer. The daily encounter with the steel gadgets, the students may reach the point of boredom. In T2T system only knowledge and skills can be delivered, all in the cognitive domain. The affective domain is overlooked. Appreciation, values and attitude which developed through social interaction cannot be possible. Machines are not human beings; they cannot values and attitude.
In the health side, constant exposure to computer may lead to bad radiation effect on ones health. Setting more than four hours may cause Masco-skeletal ailments through this sedentary activity. Eye sight can become a problem because of prolonged reading and the movement of the cursor can cause dizziness and even vertigo.
C. School Administration
With less teacher work, job should be adjusted, perhaps to be used to other purposes like module writer salaries, visual aids or multi-media experts. The innovation like T2T can produce machine dependent society. The mechanics process can result in less use of teacher's brain, creativity and increase boring feelings of monotony routines.
D. Parents
Parents not used to this innovation will be surprised when a bill includes the high cost of computer use in the school.
Parents can be exasperated because they are not able to teach their children doing their homework. They are not all computer literates neither do they own a computer at home.
Compensating strategies:
The final analysis is not entirely goodbye teachers. There are many end methods that can compensate for the disadvantages of T2T program. Negative effects can be reduced.
In T2T, teachers are relieved from preparing lesson plans and audio-visual materials. What they can do is to evaluate the system within the confine of their own class through observation. Teachers could point out common difficulties, technical trouble, language difficulty, discomfort and communicate the central agency and central unit. The teacher activities can be challenged by creating games and contests that can enhance learning. There are also many other creative activities for teachers such as: writing modules or lesson plans, improve existing ones, create effective immediate feedback system, and create sub-modules or sub-lesson plans for past and slow learners.
Social interaction among students can be undertaken before and after the class activities. They may discuss other topics not related to T2T, like family, friends, etc. Students can have special time where they can discuss and share experiences with others.
Sedentary activities can be corrected by exercise before and after class hours. Learning at one's pace creates a problem of difference in rest or finishing time among students. Teachers can compose devices or have time management where the students can have simultaneous activities.
Being a self-centered system, attitude and values about other people are forgotten. Only a live human teacher can teach the affective aspect of education as the old saying goes "values are not taught they are caught by experience" which cannot be programmed or printed in modules. T2T maybe needed as a tool for mass education in not so far future. Students with electronic cards can open the room and like unlined banking can print their own pin, download the desired program complete with lessons and audio-visual aids. This future is not far from now.
The questions that we must always keep in mind as we move into the future are: What kind of people do we wish to produce and what kind of human behavior do we wish to encourage?
(Minviluz S. Fayo, M.A. Ed. is Teacher III at Bakhaw Elementary School, District of Mandurriao, Division of Iloilo City.)