Robot teacher debuts in Japanese classroom

March 11, 7:58 PMNY Education ExaminerLorri Giovinco-Harte

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the NY Education Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

It inspired laughter, excitement and even some tears. 

Japanese researchers tested out their first robot instructor in a fifth and sixth grade class and received some positive responses.  Although still only remote controlled, the robot was able to call out names and instruct children to "Be quiet."

Originally created to be a receptionist, the robot was created in an effort to address Japan's growing labor shortage. Although it is still very limited in what it can do, researchers are hopeful that further development can prove educational.

The robot apparently receives positive receptions from the young and the elderly, which opens itself up for various possibilities.  Still, not everyone is excited about the idea.  ABC News quotes Professor Ronald C. Arkin at the Georgia Institute of Technology as being skeptical:

"Simply turning our grandparents over to teams of robots abrogates our society's responsibility to each other, and encourages a loss of touch with reality for this already mentally and physically challenged population," he said.

As for whether or not robots will be taking the place of real-life teachers, robotics expert Professor Noel Sharkey assures that this will not be a foreseeable prospect:

"It would be delusional to think that such robots could replace a human teacher.  Leading scientists, engineers and mathematicians, almost without exception, talk about that one teacher who inspired them. A robot cannot be that kind of inspirational role model."

The robot's developers, however, are reassuring that the robot was designed simply to help people and that it's intellectual abilities are still very limited.

The cost for a teacher robot?  Fifty one thousand dollars.

I wonder if she is eligible for merit pay...

You can read more at ABC News.