The Ultimate Tutor, or, Why Innovations in Education Matter

• In Event: 66.057 - Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: 66.057-6 - Technology and Education: Philosophical Perspectives

Abstract

The visible advances in artificial intelligence will eventually produce the Ultimate Tutor - a teaching machine perfectly suited to keep track of individual student's needs and preferences, strengths and weaknesses, interests and past achievements. This may change the nature of teaching, but is unlikely to change motivation for learning. In fact, there are no viable technological solution for the problem of motivation, which, arguably, is central to improving education. It is so, because motivation for learning deals with fundamental limitations imposed by the bio-economics of human existence. It is, however, wise to continue to innovate in education despite low expectation for results. The value of participating in educational innovations outweighs the potential direct impact of innovations on measurable learning outcomes.

Author

• Alexander M Sidorkin, California State University - Sacramento