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56 • TLC—For the Workplace
Educators’Concerns:The Lossof Individualized Instruction/Interaction
In the Lower Grades (“Generation Alpha”— Children Born in 2010 or Later)
Many educators believe that person-to-person interac- tion in the lower grades is vital. Problems can be resolved on the spot, and lessons are learned in the process. The loss of the human face of teaching, therefore—particularly in the lower grades— causes enormous anxiety among ed- ucators and parents alike. Learning a concept or engaging in comprehension exercises cannot be taught (as we tradi- tionally use the term), in a personalized manner, through a computer screen.
The screen does not have a human heart, cannot dry tears, mend an emotional or physical wound, or offer a soothing word. A machine cannot smile with approval or offer a look of gentle reproach and cannot provide struc- ture or shape a child’s personality nearly as well as a com- passionate flesh-and-blood teacher.
The formative years are all about children playing to- gether, one-on-one, establishing friendships, learning by trial and error, drawing and getting paint on their hands, sharing, learning when not to speak out of turn, abiding by the rules of proper behavior. These are some of the aspects of interaction that will be missed if online learning sup- plants the physical brick-and-mortar classroom for young students. Learning disabled students will be particularly affected since they require individualized instruction and attention that only trained professionals can offer.
Parents’ Changing Roles As Teachers and Techs
There is nothing like a parent’s love and nurturing. A harmonious home life is a gift from God that enhances the