Can computer programs replace teachers?

I think you answered your question for us. :-)

Yes, computer programs can replace teachers,
but only for those students able to learn without human teaching.

Yes, it can in some cases. One of my past jobs was as a training instructor for the company’s internal computer program. It was replaced by computer-based training, and it was much more effective way to go.

The challenge is that the decision to make the change is often made by someone who does not understand the instructional design process. They put the cart before the horse; they want to select the method of delivery first, when it shouldn’t be identified until the course content is designed, or at least assessed.

This sounds like a math textbook all over again. With math, I need specific questions answered, and that can’t happen with textbooks (which I don’t understand anyway) and I doubt it’s the case with computers.
Humans can also relate to other humans well, explaining things in a way that makes sense. Unless a computer is capable of relating to humans as well, I don’t think computers should teach.

I think that a professional, well-qualified human teacher will always be better than a computer. When it comes to mechanics vs understanding, a computer might not be able to tell when a person is simply following step or actually understanding what is happening. A human can probably tell the difference.

I think it depends on the student and the subject. Students learning through computer programs is ok I think as long as there are teachers available to supplement their experience and help when a student is having trouble understanding a specific section of the school work. With this sort of set up the teacher student ration can be much larger. Students will have more opportunity to move through material at their own pace.

I think they might come to partially replace teachers. They have endless patience and they could be programmed to suggest different approaches to a problem based on the experience of numerous real life teachers. I think their teaching could become quite personalized based on the reactions they get from pupils. There is no reason a computer couldn’t suggest anything a real life teacher could suggest such as the example quoted in the question.

For all that teachers are allowed to do today in between standardized tests and whining PTA parents, yes. Easily.

They could, but who’d have a crush on them?

Maybe with math and some other subjects programs could replace teachers. I had learned a good deal of math myself via programs and books without teachers once I quit high school to get my GED. There are some things that programs can’t replace in my opinion since you need a more hands on approach to learning about these.

@ucme There are all sorts of weird fetishists….

@jerv This is true, in the world of the geek, nothing is safe

~But who would punish the child for being human?