The chatbot can do what no human teacher can: it is always there at the critical moment. Especially in these times of crisis to give the student tools to process new knowledge.
“Mum, can you please help with this subject?”
“Honey, it’s almost eleven o’clock, why don’t you try it yourself and I’ll help you tomorrow, okay?”
In the current crisis, learning in the Netherlands, from primary school to university, is being taught at a distance. The pressure on teachers is even higher than usual due to the limited online teaching time. Students are increasingly dependent on their parents to answer questions or provide extra explanation. However, not every parent has the time or the resources to support their children in the learning process. The result: unmotivated pupils and poor learning results. Chatbots can help here. In this blog: How do chatbots ensure engaged learners?
The power of conversation
The first years of your life you learn through interactions with others. Actually, this never stops. Learning is an active process. Once at school, interactions are necessary to learn. An interaction is actually nothing more than people reacting to each other. A teacher cannot simply transfer knowledge to his pupils. The teacher must actively involve the pupils and let them create their own experience. Therefore, reflection is necessary if a learner is to learn from the experience.
Humans are storytelling animals. We like to tell stories about how we see the world and having conversations helps with that. Putting your ideas into words for the outside world also helps you to get your own ideas across more clearly. Try, for example, to explain to someone else why you think the application of a new technology in education will add value. At that moment, you need to organise the information and you will notice where, for example, information is missing to complete your argument.
A good instructive conversation
An instructive conversation helps the learner. For example, the conversational partner shares new knowledge or asks questions. This forces a learner to reconsider current knowledge. The role of the teacher is essential here. The teacher is a kind of guide, who challenges the pupil with questions. Moreover, it is important that the teacher is aware of his own assumptions. Also, the teacher must be present at the critical moment when the pupil needs to talk. In a physical classroom, it is difficult to have this kind of conversation. The teacher has much more power than pupils. The pupils feel that. Because of this, they sometimes do not dare to ask the questions they do have. This imbalance of power gets in the way of spontaneous interaction and enquiry. This can be done differently!
The role of the teacher
An instructive conversation helps the learner. For example, the conversational partner shares new knowledge or asks questions. This forces a learner to reconsider current knowledge. The role of the teacher is essential here. The teacher is a kind of guide, who challenges the pupil with questions. Moreover, it is important that the teacher is aware of his own assumptions. Also, the teacher must be present at the critical moment when the pupil needs to talk. In a physical classroom, it is difficult to have this kind of conversation. The teacher has much more power than pupils. The pupils feel that. Because of this, they sometimes do not dare to ask the questions they do have. This imbalance of power gets in the way of spontaneous interaction and enquiry. This can be done differently!
Chatbot comes to the rescue.
Fortunately, for every nail there is a hole to be found. Chatbots can support us where human interactions cannot. Apart from that, the chatbot has no sense of social hierarchy or inequality. It will not let its conversations suffer because of that. In addition, the chatbot has one big advantage for the current generation. Just like them, the chatbot never stops and can answer immediately. Exactly what this generation is used to. In other words, the chatbot can do what no human teacher can: it is always there at the critical moment. Always available in this time of crisis to give the student the tools to process new knowledge.
In addition to being always available, the chatbot also provides the learner with a personalised learning environment. The chatbot analyses the learner’s answers and how they progress through the learning content. An example of this can be found in our little Helpr friend STU. STU helps with the development of study skills. Conversations are adapted based on learner input. To do this, STU uses quizzes, pictures and videos or a combination of these.
The limits of a chatbot
Of course, chatbots have their limitations. They will never understand the emotions and thoughts of humans. Simply because we humans do not speak the same language as our computers. Creating a world view together and learning from each other only happens to a limited extent. So suppose you learn mind mapping together with STU. Suddenly you wonder what ‘biodiversity’ is. The chatbot has no answer. The question does not fit into the conversation. STU asks you for feedback and calmly continues to mind map. Simply because it has been programmed that way. A teacher may not know the answer to the question either. However, he understands what he can do with the question. This explains why a chatbot can never fully replace a teacher.
To conclude
A chatbot can be an enthusiastic tutor that supports the teacher. The chatbot is always just in time to help, just in time and just enough. It doesn’t matter if you’re a night owl or an early bird, the chatbot is ready. It helps you prepare for the lessons and facilitates after-care when needed. By providing tools in the learning process. In this way, every student has the opportunity to actively develop their own knowledge through reflection and critical questions.
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