Running head: TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION 1

Teachers are Education

Brenda Sotelo

Los Angeles Leadership Academy

 2
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION

Abstract

According to professor Peter Boettlae The alternative models including the most

technologically advanced version- simply cannot capture the educational experience that students

receive in the traditional college/university(Leef, 2013). This paper will address how online

classes are good for schools but shouldnt replace traditional classroom teachers. This paper

defines what online classes are and why they are very limited besides being smart. This is

significant to our society because students need their teachers to guide them through their

educational experience.

Keywords: traditional teachers, online classes, smart, limited, technology

 3
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION

TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION

In present day where technology has become an essential part of life, schools are

becoming increasingly dependent on technology and it may not be for the better. Schools fire

teachers from their jobs to save money however, teachers are essential to learning. Technology is

still a great way to offer education services to students but has serious limitations. Online courses

cant teach students what a person has to learn, online classes who are smart still do not

compare to the life experience a teacher brings, and online classes are made unfairly as they are

made for the general public and not specially programmed for special needs students. Many

have researched the results of online training, but many of these studies yield different results

because not all are looking at the same criteria for a successful outcome (Vidal, 2016). It is

great to have technology in education but it should not replace teachers.

Background Information

Online classes are courses that deliver a series of lessons through the use of technology.

Online education technology is relatively new however, it can be predated back 170 years ago

when British Teachers would send their class lessons by mail.

 4
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION
Online classes all started in 1960 when the University of Illinois created an intranet for

its students. The system contained of computer terminals in which students could access

materials and also recorded lectures. Other Universities commenced to take advantage of these

resources by offering distance learning course, using computer networking for information and

sharing resources. In the 1980s college resources included online access to course information

and student networking tools. Today many high schools, colleges and universities offer online

courses and degree programs to distance learning students and working professionals. A total of

6,700,000 students are enrolled in online courses. The current number of accredited online

universities is 275 and more. The amount of college students that are at least enrolled in one

online class is 30%. Student participation in online education grows within the years. At least

five states now include online learning a high school graduation requirement.

Discipline

Manners (a way in which things are done or happens) are taught at an early age and is

developed until adulthood. In today's world students can participate in online courses and online

school from home thus eliminating the role school have on a student's discipline. They wonder

how a computer can ever teach tolerance or empathy, how it can inspire or encourage, how it can

understand an individual student's needs or challenge to take Risks (Chesser, 2012). Computers

can not teach discipline and online classes do not challenge a student's mind like schools are

known to do. Computers are machines and are emotionless and can not teach empathy found in

people.
 5
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION
Being an online student will work well for those who have the ability to self motivate.

Without a plan or some type of organization, your work will suffer in the online classroom(Bird,

2014). Online courses do not provide motivation and often times students find themselves having

to motivate themselves to do their work. This can be troublesome for younger students who lack

the experience or responsibility of turning in work on time and can significantly affect their

grades.

Experience and Hands on Learning.

Full time online students often miss out on forming friendships with their teachers and

lose the opportunity to work with peers on projects and homework. For instance, The alternative

models including the most technologically advanced version- simply cannot capture the

educational experience that students receive in the traditional college/university ( Leef, 2013).

Teachers should always be part of schools as their experience provide students with a unique way

to learn. Moreover, Internet and digital devices, and educational technology advocates insist the

the teacher is still essential to any technology-based effort to improve schools (Quillen, 2012).

The significance of this quote matters because teachers play a big role in education whether its

online or in a class.
 6
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION
Furthermore, teachers provide a deep educational existence and can adapt to any student's

learning style. Additionally, At least one study has found that students in full time online

schools don't do as well on standardized tests of math and reading (Dell Antonia, 2011). This is

due to students not having close relationships with teachers and not being able to have them for

help. Teachers provide comfort and tranquility to a classroom and are an essential part to

learning. To add on, There is no other educational experience as deep and affecting as a student

learning from a teacher who cares about imparting knowledge and stimulating thinking (Leef,

2013). This quote signifies that a teachers bond with students goes beyond academics and can

influence their lives outside of school.

Special Needs

The biggest disadvantages online classes have are on the special needs of certain

students. Students are not thought of when schools create or buy these online classes. For

example, Not only will these students demand more of your time and patience; so, too, will they

require specialized instructional strategies in a structured environment that supports and

enhances their learning potential (Teacher Vision, 2017 ). This quote signifies that kids with

special needs require teachers to give them their full attention in order for them to learn.

In addition, students who require special education are at a huge disadvantage as they

would need someone to guide them in their studies. Online students also suffer as if they get

stuck on problems or need help they need a professional's help. Also, The role of teachers then

becomes to intervene when students encounter difficulty with a computerized lesson (Quillen,

2013). This is why teachers are extremely important to education. Each student is and learns

differently and with teachers they can learn at their pace.

Conclusion
 7
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION
In conclusion, online classes should not replace traditional teachers. Schools do not take

into consideration the special needs some students need and make their decisions based on the

schools budget. Lastly, computers can not teach students what teachers can, it takes lots of self-

motivation and discipline. Teachers not only teach students, they mold students as good

mannered independent individuals. It is great to have technology in education but it should not

replace teachers.
 8
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION

References

Bird, Kendall. (2014). Online vs. Traditional Education: The Answer You Never
 9
TEACHERS ARE EDUCATION
Expected. Rasmussen. Retrieved from http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-

life/blogs/college-life/online-vs-traditional-education-answer-never-expected/

Chesser, Holly. (2012). Can Technology Replace Teachers? Sais serving and

accrediting Independent Schools. Retrieved from

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.sais.org/resource/resmgr/imported/Can

%20Technology%20Replace%20Teachers.df

DellAntonia, Kj. (2011). Can Virtual Schools Really Replace Classrooms? The

New York Times. Retrieved from

https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/can-virtual-schools-really-

replace-classrooms/?_r=0

Leef, George. (2013). Will Online Education Render Traditional Obsolete? Forbes.

Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeleef/2013/10/29/will-online-education-

render-traditional-college-obsolete/#121ecdc16e77

Quillen, Ian. (2012). Can Technology Replace Teachers? Education Week. Retrieved

from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/08/08/37replace_ep.h31.html

Teacher Vision. (2017). Teaching Students with Special Needs. Teacher Vision. Retrieved from

https://www.teachervision.com/special-needs/teaching-students-special-needs

Vidal, Bertha. (2016). Should Online Training Replace Traditional Classroom Training

in Grades k-12?. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Retrieved from

https://berthavidal.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/proj-4-should-online-trai

ing-replace-traditional-classroom-training-in-grades-k-12.pdf