Journal #8: Computer Tutors vs. Teachers

The article that I read was “Can Computers Tutor Students as Effectively as Teachers?” by Jeanie Cole and Ken Luterbach. In this article the two authors debate the two sides of the question. Luterbach believes that yes computers can tutor students as efficiently as teachers. He points out that studies have shown that “achievement from computer-aided instruction equaled achievement from teacher-led instruction” and that students who were struggling with the material showed improvement when using the computer lead instruction. The author says that as long as the instructor (be it a teacher or a computer) engages the students attention, makes the content relevant, and increases the students confidence both modes of instruction can be equally effective. In the end the author points out that computer provide “individual attention, immediate feedback, and unending patience” that is important in helping students learn.

Jeanie Cole argues that, while computer software has evolved greatly, it can not take the place of teacher lead instruction. She emphasizes the fact that students need the connection that teachers provide. She says that “A teacher satisfies student needs for connections to others, challenges them beyond expectations, promotes high-level and collaborative learning and can adjust to student personalities and learning styles.” She gave a number if examples of how her students have responded best to computer based learning when she has still been interactive. On the whole she feels that computer based learning is a useful tool for tutoring students that struggle but they can not reach the student on all levels.

Questions:
1.) Q: Which side do you agree with the most?

A: I am a little torn on this subject. I think that computers probably could teach the subject matter to students as effectively as teachers but I also agree with Jeanie Cole in that students still need that connection that the teacher brings. Overall I think that teachers still have the upper hand.

2.) Q:What do you think would be the most effective way to use computers as tutors?

A: Computer-based teaching would be most effective, I think, when it is integrated with teacher-based instruction, so that the student can still get all of the benefits of the computer set up and still have the connections through the teacher.