While the title might make it sound harsh and scary, technology and AI are not and will never be the enemy of teachers, writers, or any other occupations. While technology in the 21st century did come with many changes in how we do things, this growth is inevitable. Whether we look at it like an opportunity or a challenge, it does not change the fact that it brought lots of benefits to fields like education. So how is technology redefining the role of teachers? (Hint: no, it does not replace them!) Read along to find out. 

The history of schools, as we know it 

Learning and schools have been with us for a long time, dating back thousands of years to Ancient Greece, where they considered the gymnasium a necessary part of a child’s development.  However, if we wish to dig even further, I’m sure the concept of grouping people together to teach them something has been with us for even longer than we imagine.  Now, if we compare schooling as it emerged in our history to schooling today, we will notice that many things have changed since then.  But they changed for the better, right? Yes, that is entirely and 100% objectively true.  Today, education is mostly affordable, and students can pursue higher education or careers in fields that no one imagined would exist.  We can thank evolution and technology for that, for the most part.  Today, we have online learning platforms that facilitate streamlined teaching and learning and AI assistants that help teachers do their jobs.  💡Haven’t heard about it yet? Read more about our case study with Transylvania College.  So how do online learning platforms like Spark Generation impact the role of teachers? Well, for that we first need to establish what is the role of a teacher. 

The Traditional Role of Teachers

The history of teachers, just like the history of schools, dates back to earlier times when technology was only a distant dream. Around the 18th century, teachers were considered those who were more fortunate to know a language or have a social status that granted them some level of education higher than what the rest of the world typically received in those times.  First, the occupation was limited to primarily men, and their teaching jobs would be seasonal as they would have other occupations in their local communities.  Nowadays, teaching is one of the world’s most significant professions, and we’ve learned that information is delivered equally well by all genders and regardless of a person’s social status. 

So what do teachers do?

By definition, the word teacher means a person who trains or instructs others. I’m sure that when thinking about teachers, we all get the same image in our mind with a person writing stuff on the chalkboard.  We got used to teachers delivering information but we almost forgot that they do much more than that.  Teachers are the bridge between us and our love for knowledge and information. The way a teacher does their job could even affect the way we view learning for life. 

The Impact of Technology on Education 

We’re no longer in an era where teachers stand at the front of the classroom, delivering information from textbooks. Today, technology plays a major role in how teachers teach and how students learn. Educational technology has come a long way, and it’s quickly changing the face of education as we know it.  With online learning platforms and digital tools becoming more common, teachers now have access to resources that make their jobs easier and more effective.  For example, Transylvania College added 35 new subjects to the school curriculum with the help of Spark Generation. Platforms like ours help teachers personalise lessons, keep track of student progress, and create interactive experiences that keep students engaged.  As technology continues to evolve, it’s pretty clear that the role of teachers is changing, adapting to meet the needs of today’s students.

Redefining the Teacher’s Role

So what are the main opportunities for teachers and their roles to change based on the benefits and innovations brought about by education technology? 

From Content Delivery to Facilitation:

With platforms like Spark Generation, students can explore subjects at their own pace, diving into areas that spark their interest.  Teachers, rather than just lecturing, now guide this exploration, providing support and encouraging critical thinking. They become mentors, helping students connect the dots and develop the independence needed to think critically and learn effectively on their own.

Personalised Learning Paths:

Instead of school having to be a one size fits all, teachers are now able to personalise learning for students, based on their interests, strengths and learning styles. 

Enhanced Student Engagement:

With tools like interactive videos, multimedia content, and gamification, learning becomes more than just reading from a textbook—it’s an experience.  Teachers can now use these features to make lessons more dynamic and fun, capturing students’ attention in ways that traditional methods can’t. 

Benefits for teachers 

Apart from their “role” being changed, teachers also get a handful of benefits that come with the introduction of technology and AI into their classrooms, such as:

Data-Driven Decision Making

Apart from everything mentioned above, platforms like Spark Generation provide teachers with data analytics tools that help monitor student progress in real time.  This allows them to quickly identify which students need extra support and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly.  At Spark, we use these insights to personalise learning experiences. Our content team leverages this data to develop and add new content that aligns with what students enjoy and engage with most.

Automating Routine Tasks

Maybe one of the greatest benefits of educational technology is the ability to automate routine tasks.  Just think of how much time teachers spend on things such as grading, attendance, or assignments.  This automation frees up their time, allowing them to focus more on interacting with students and less on administrative duties.  This also helps with a positive work-life balance and contributes to teachers’ wellbeing.

Conclusion: ready to take your teaching to the next level? 

We’ve explored the impact of technology on education and how the roles of teachers might be affected by all these changes.  If you are one of them, do you agree that technology and AI aren’t as scary as we would have thought them to be, once we also notice the benefits they bring along?  At Spark Generation, we’re an ally of innovation and we found the use of AI making our work more impactful, as well as learning more enjoyable for students.  Are you currently using any new technologies or modern teaching methods in your classroom? Why, or why not?  We’d love to hear your perspective so let us know at [email protected]. P.S. if you want to test out the power of innovation in your classroom (or why not even school), we’d be happy to offer you 1 month of Spark generation free of charge 🤓  And If you’re still not sure about what Spark Generation can offer to schools like yours, you might really want to check out our case study with Transylvania College.