‘AI cannot replace relationships’: Why teachers matter more than ever in the modern classroom
With AI entering the classroom, the teacher’s role is more important than ever.
In a primary school in Bukit Batok, Singapore, students are using AI-powered tools to enhance their learning experience. A Primary 3 student is playing a flappy bird game on a school-issued laptop to learn words related to local landmarks while another Secondary 2 student is using a Chromebook to submit mathematical workings, receiving instant feedback on his performance.
Teachers Charles Yip and Kenny Ng emphasize that AI is not meant to replace their roles but to provide students with opportunities to learn at their own pace, make mistakes without fear, and grow from them. Yip explains that AI helps students understand where they went wrong and suggests ways to correct their mistakes, allowing them to become independent learners.
Ng, on the other hand, uses AI to engage students who do not use their mother tongue outside the classroom, enabling them to learn Chinese vocabulary through interactive games and design activities. Both teachers keep homework offline to ensure students develop essential skills independently, preparing them for national examinations.
While AI can optimize many aspects of learning, teachers stress that it cannot replace the crucial role of teacher-student relationships in nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and ensuring students develop holistically.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
