despite all this technology we still need teachers in the classroom

Despite all this technology, we still need teachers in the classroom

While we’re very enthusiastic about education technology here on Daily Genius, we never forget the key to good schooling – good teaching. The fear that EdTech will make teachers redundant ought to be unfounded, but it’s good to be reminded of the importance of the figure in front of the class.

It’s a while since we came across this from Professor Gustavo Reis, 2012 in fact, but it’s still worth watching (even if you need the English subtitles).

In his TEDx talk, he discusses the importance of education and, more importantly, the need for engaged students. Below are a few takeaways from the video that I found particularly interesting.

How Students Pay Attention In Class

One of the stand out points Prof. Reis makes is based on a study that found most students are alert and attentive for the first 5 minutes of class. Then, about halfway through class, only about half are paying attention. Then, there’s a critical point: when the teacher says “finally” and signals that the end is near.

It’s during that time the student understand that either the best part (save the best for last and all that) of the class is coming or that the class is simply almost over. Either way, the students in general snap back to attention.

After 1 Minute, Half of all Video Viewers Leave

Prof. Reis ties this study into the world of online video. He discusses how, after just the first 10 seconds of a video (like the one above for example), 11% of all viewers have abandoned the video. After just one minute (regardless of how long the video is), more than HALF of all viewers are gone. And after 5 minutes, just 9% of the original viewers will remain.

2% of High School Students Want To Be Teachers

At about 10 minutes into the video, Prof. Reis details why he has realized he’s always been (and always will be) a teacher. But, he says, the problem is with the current education system. He cites a figure that just 2% of high school students say they want to be teachers when they grow up. In a retort, he says “nonsense, I think it’s much less.”

Written by Jeff Dunn



Jeff is an education and technology lover who has worked in far too many industries to count. Okay, like maybe 5 or 6. Jeff can indeed count that high but it’s not recommended. Jeff also likes to write bios in the third-person.

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