Human intelligence technology has been thriving over the past decade. Now, we have super-computers that even beat humans in go.

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问题         Human intelligence technology has been thriving over the past decade. Now, we have super-computers that even beat humans in go. Some experts say that one day computers will replace teachers in the classroom, believe it or not. The following article provides detailed information about this prediction. Read it carefully and write your response in NO LESS THAN 300 words, in which you should:
        1. summarize briefly the article;
        2. give your comment on whether computers will replace human teachers.
        Could Computers Ever Replace Teachers?
        In the early 1960s, Professor Donald Bitzer, an electrical engineer at the University of Illinois, was creating one of the world’s first teaching machines. But with its growth came speculation and apprehension—could a computer replace a teacher?
        Fifty years on, this question is still being asked. Fiona Hollands, senior researcher at Columbia University’s Teachers College, says computers are now being used for several distinct reasons in the classroom: they help face-to-face teacher instruction in "blended learning" models; they can be used to supplement educators in "hybrid" teaching models; and replace teachers in "virtual" classrooms.
        "A few states and districts have created their own virtual schools with Florida Virtual School being the best known," says Hollands, adding that a recent study claimed not only can students do just as well with this approach, but there may also be cost savings.
        In the US, Rocketship schools have cut overheads by introducing more online classes and employing fewer teachers. They have attracted global attention through their "blended learning" approach in which a quarter of a student’s school day is taught by a computer. Teachers without credentials supervise online sessions while qualified teachers focus on critical thinking. Any savings are used to pay existing teachers more.
        Hollands argued that Rocketship schools provide a lower quality education to deprived children. He believes it is hard, for example, to work alone online if your English reading skills are weak and if you are easily distracted.
        Tricia Kelleher, principal of the Stephen Perse Foundation, warns that technology should not spell the end for teachers. Rather, it should be seen as a useful tool in the teacher’s armoury. This May, Mitra did a Ted talk on the "school in the cloud" where he discussed his hole in the wall experiment Mitra placed a computer in a kiosk in a Delhi slum and allowed children to use it freely. He found that many of them, lots who had never seen a computer, could teach themselves all on their own.
        "Teachers often ask me, am I going to lose my job? I say no because your job will get harder. It will become a different job. It will go from being a master standing at the front of class to a helpful friend at the back." He adds: "There will have to be a dramatic change to teacher programmes but we are no where near that yet."
        One thing that is going to change, however, is the need for teachers with technological skills. José Picardo, the assistant principal of Surbiton High school, says teachers who can use technology will replace those who cannot. He adds that tools like video now allow children to learn at any point, and teachers need to make the most of this.

选项

答案 Teachers Won’t Be Replaced The article mainly discusses the growth of the world’s teaching machines and people’s speculation and apprehension. As for growth, computers have found their way into classrooms and are doing well with good student performance and cost savings. As for speculation and apprehension, researchers and school administrators generally believe computers will not replace teachers but there will have to be a dramatic change both to the teachers and teacher programmes. As far as I am concerned, computers cannot replace teachers. First of all, computer lacks face-to-face interaction. The point of the presence of a teacher in the classroom is not only that he can impart what he knows and repeat what has already been written in the textbook, but more importantly that he can discuss things with students in person. When they have questions about a certain topic, they can ask him for an answer, when they have doubts concerning a point stated in the textbook, they can challenge him in order to gain deeper understanding. The fact that the teacher appears in flesh and blood makes it easier for the students to digest what they are learning. All these would be very difficult for a computer to achieve. Furthermore, computer also lacks necessary flexibility. Confucius, the greatest educator in China, once remarked that one should always teach students in accordance with their natural aptitude. Indeed, flexibility is vital in education because what a teacher faces is living and constantly changing students. A very significant part of the teacher’s role, therefore, includes frequently altering his teaching methods in order to suit the new progress of his students. A teacher will also have to understand the background of each student It is highly doubtful that a pre-programmed computer would be able to shoulder such responsibilities. To sum up, although computer technology has advanced greatly over the past decades, it is still far away from replacing teachers in the classroom. Perhaps it simply lacks a bit of "human touch".

解析         材料开篇以世界上首台教学机器(the world’s first teaching machines)的诞生、发展及人们对此的思考和担忧(speculation and apprehension)展开探讨。
        第二至四段主要阐述电脑在课堂的运用、发展及优点,包括:电脑以几种不同原因进入课堂(computers are now being used for several distinct reasons in the classroom);将电脑引入课堂的学校,不仅其学生学业表现没有变差(students do just as well with this approach),还能节省费用(there may also be cost savings)。
        接下来几段主要围绕电脑进入课堂的影响展开,包括有研究者认为引进电脑的学校,弱势学生的学习质量会降低(provide a lower quality education to deprived children)、教师会担心自己的饭碗不保等等。
        总的来说,这篇阅读材料的结论是电脑不会取代教师(computers will no replace teachers),但教师及教学项目需做大调整(there will have to be a dramatic change)。
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