True educators extend the teaching and learning process to include relationships, intrapersonal skills, personal and community growth
Image: File
Five industrial revolutions have brought significant change to the role of a teacher, yet one thing has remained constant: the teacher is a human mediator.
Whether formal educators or adults in a community setting, teachers bridge indigenous, scientific or local knowledge with the student.
Alison Scott, Executive Principal at Bellavista School explains how, in a rapidly changing world, aptly described as a series of industrial revolutions, teachers know education is more than knowledge and scholastic skill acquisition.
True educators extend the teaching and learning process to include relationships, intrapersonal skills, personal and community growth, morals and ethics, mentoring, and guidance.
While shifts in curriculum content and workplace are relentless, so much so that teachers cannot update their knowledge or content expertise fast enough, they continue to hold onto one unwavering mandate.
They are mediators who teach others not just what to think but how to think.
The First Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century, powered by coal, transformed an agricultural economy into an industrial one.
This revolution saw the transition from manual labour to machines, including steam-powered engines and metal forging. Transportation incorporated canals in addition to overland travel.
Before this period, education primarily focused on basic literacy and numeracy, with teachers tasked to impart these skills to a largely agrarian society.
To meet the needs of the new industrial world, teaching and learning became more rigid, with strict classroom environments that mimicked the discipline of factory work.
Through this potentially dehumanising era, teachers were more than just educational instructors. They were trusted figures in the community who built relationships beyond the school and were often respected for their moral and social guidance.
The Second Industrial Revolution in the mid 19th and early 20th century was driven by the discovery of electricity, gas and oil.
Communication technology advanced to include the telegraph and later the telephone, making global interaction possible. Transportation expanded with the invention of air travel and motorised cars, allowing for easier and faster access to foreign markets.
As electricity, steel, and mass production changed the Western economic landscape, schools placed greater emphasis on preparing students for careers in engineering, business, science, and management of global industries.
Subjects like mathematics, accounting, and business studies became core curriculum offerings.
During this period, post-war societal changes brought many women into the workforce, creating a greater demand for early childhood care and education while parents worked. Teachers took on the role of loco parentis, legally assuming some of the functions of parents during the school day.
Beyond their obligations in this regard, teachers cared for the whole child, scholastically, socially, emotionally, and physically. In a world increasingly dominated by machines, the onus fell to teachers to be the human connections that brought meaning to learning.
The Third Industrial Revolution of the mid- to late 20th century, also known as the digital revolution, ushered nuclear energy, electronics, and computers into the global economic landscape.
Teachers were compelled to navigate an array of devices and electronic resources, guiding students in the responsible use of technology. Students needed support in understanding newly innovated, complex concepts.
During this time, the idea that teachers were lifelong learners solidified. They were no longer seen as fonts of all knowledge but as facilitators who guided inquiry and curiosity in their students.
This required teachers to stay abreast of ever-changing knowledge, shifting from delivering limited information to encouraging students' self-directed learning in an environment full of rapid innovation.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution in the 21st Century, characterised by artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), continues to transform education.
The growing prominence of AI and machine learning prompts concern that teachers might be replaced by machines.
However, while technology makes information more accessible, it does not replace the essential role of teachers in guiding students through a vast sea of knowledge.
Education is more personalized, and online learning platforms have gained prominence towards this end, yet the role of the educator as a human mediator cannot be replaced.
Using the marvels of the internet and AI, teachers can extend their knowledge and curate online content to meet the growing needs and interests of their students.
In 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the irreplaceable value of teachers as millions of students around the world transitioned to online learning.
Teachers worked hard to maintain their connections with students virtually, ensuring that education continued despite the physical distance.
These relationships built on trust, empathy, and respect remain the cornerstone of education, nurturing well-rounded individuals prepared to engage with an ever-changing world.
The Fifth Industrial Revolution promises to deliver an “ultra-smart society” where AI, robotics, and IoT gain momentum.
Countries are mobilising to ensure that this new wave of innovation remains human-centered and environmental stewardship stays front of mind.
Schools are uniquely positioned to bring this awareness into sharp focus and raise innovators who will balance humanity and technology and remain mindful of sustainability and human well-being.
Teachers must foster relationships as much as they teach subject matter, fulfilling their role as the human link that keeps learning connected to real life.
They are obliged to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and empathy while guiding students to be responsible global citizens and use technology ethically.
Through all five industrial revolutions, teachers have adapted to new technologies while maintaining their core role as human mediators in education.
They are the bridge between students and their future, fostering relationships that extend beyond textbooks and screens.
Scott believes that teachers are instrumental in developing ethical, responsible, and well-rounded individuals prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.
No matter how advanced technology becomes, the essential human connection that teachers provide remains the cornerstone of effective education.
IOL Education