"Robo-Cass Reporting For Duty."

Don't worry I'm not actually a robot. Yet. At least I don't think I am... 

    The concept of robots replacing teachers might seem outlandish to some but with the rate of technological advancements and the push for cutting edge software amidst COVID, some are predicting this grim reality will occur within the next decade. Well, if that is true then I can say with all honesty (having been an online student now for 5 months) that we have a long way to go. After the first month I resorted to handwriting my notes, including a detail of breakout room discussions and attendees, because I needed something physical to jog my memory. I started using different colours and graphic organizers, as if to mimic learning something in a particular place. I even tried having different classes in different rooms in my house! "Ahh, yes. I remember that class. It was in the loo." I hadn't realized how dependent my brain was on physical spaces. Looking back on it now, I legitimately think my body was on autopilot when I was on campus, navigating class to class by sheer muscle memory and yet I retained more information having that physical space to associate with the lessons.  Side note, The Mind Explained on Netflix actually talks about our brains sense of place and how vital it is for our memory. It's here on YouTube for free if you are interested: The Mind Explained: Memory (full episode) Another primary component of memory that is discussed in the documentary is emotions, and uses the simplest example of an angry face being more memorable among mostly neutral or content. This honestly makes a lot of sense to me, and as previously mentioned in another post, I remember both the best and worst teachers I had, primarily because of the way they made me feel, and their demeanour was a significant factor. And it's more than that, it was their body language and the use of their physical space. Until there is a bubbly little purple-haired robot with keen insight and lived experiences, who seamlessly makes use of their learning environment in an engaging, personable way... I'm here to stay. And I am so excited to be living proof of the value in people. Try as you may, you can't replicate the magic of a classroom and robots will not replace teachers. Unfortunately remote learning will still be a reality for some, if not at all of us again at some point. Soon I won't be a student anymore though I'll be the teacher trying her hardest to replicate the impossible.