It was 1980 when I first encountered Speak & Spell. This innovative educational toy, made by Texas Instruments, blew my tiny mind. Here was a handheld children’s computer that could help me improve my spelling, which was, and still is, atrocious. What’s more, it was fun. Made of bright red plastic with a yellow trim and a small digital screen, it was certainly eye-catching, but its most striking attribute was that it spoke. “Now spell colour”, its emotionless, robotic voice would command.
In 2009, long after Speak & Spell had been consigned to the archives of early digital technology, the US-based Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers awarded it “Milestone” status, declaring it a key achievement in electronic engineering. It may also have been the first sign of an impending revolution.
A recent article in The National described a research project by a team from UAE University's College of Information Technology that used robotics and artificial intelligence to help children on the autism spectrum with their learning and development. The research described how children on the autism spectrum paid more attention and responded better to simple instructions given by a robot than they did to those given by a human instructor.
It is not only in the context of autism that robots are getting involved in education. Earlier this year, primary schools across the city of Tampere in Finland got two new teachers − both of them robots. The first, named Elias, is small, humanoid in appearance and programmed to speak and understand 23 languages. It has been developed to recognise and understand the language ability of the specific child interacting with it, and to adapt the complexity of its own accordingly. Elias is also programmed to perform the “Gangnam Style” dance, which might be helpful when the class is getting bored. The other half of this robotic teaching duo is an egg-shaped invention known as OVObot, which is tasked with teaching maths.
Their deployment in classrooms is part of a pilot study to explore the impact of robots on teaching quality and educational progress. The study also aims to see how effective machines might be at taking charge of lessons. I find it disturbing that a robot could be used to stop unruly classroom behaviour – we’ve all seen RoboCop – and unlikely that it could comfort a crying child, but machines could very effectively record such incidents and report them back to their human overseers.
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Read more from Justin Thomas:
Young people are vulnerable to loneliness too
Psychologists cannot afford to ignore our valuable digital data trail
Why teachers need help just as much as their pupils
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This is the near future of education, as envisioned by Anthony Seldon and Oladimeji Abidoye in their recent co-authored book, The Fourth Education Revolution: Will Artificial Intelligence Liberate or Infantilise Humanity? In it, they assert that AI can easily outperform human teachers in the areas of information-giving and the tailoring of assessment to the specific needs of individual students. Gone will be the days of age-related year groups: if you are ready to progress, then you will. And RoboTeacher will lead the way.
It seems likely that artificial intelligence will become a major source of disruptive innovation in education in the coming decades. This is when a new technology displaces the old ways of doing things, in some cases rendering that which came before entirely obsolete. Netflix and Uber are good examples of disruption in entertainment and transport, but what could disruption in education look like?
For one thing, the AI classroom of the future might not even be a classroom. With the possibility of personalised instruction and immersive virtual reality, the need to gather students into large rooms with desks and whiteboards seems open to question. However, online educational methods possess little of the human interaction that classrooms and lecture halls provide. This is an important part of the learning experience for both children and adults, and should not be overlooked.
When one considers parts of the world where access to education in the form of well-educated professional teachers is scarce, the value of new, open and accessible methods of tutoring is clear. For the AI-empowered education revolution to genuinely take effect in these locations, though, considerable investment in technological infrastructure will be necessary.
As an educator, I believe that it’s wise to embrace change, to appreciate the potential of new and emerging technologies, and get ahead of the curve. From such a vantage point, teachers are in a perfect place to influence how the coming revolution will unfold. Like everything else, nobody can predict the future of learning, but one thing is certain – that the role of the teacher is going to change radically.
Still, it is unlikely that we will be replaced. With increasing use of technology, we may see an even greater need than ever for educators to focus on the social and emotional development of children. A teacher’s compassion and empathy can help struggling students find their way, to become inspired and flourish. We may have come a long way from Speak & Spell, but that invaluable human touch will always remain at the cutting edge of education.
Dr Justin Thomas is professor of psychology at Zayed University
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Company%20profile
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SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Schedule
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
Normal People
Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20Profile
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TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20Profile
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
'Nope'
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Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
Zombieland: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone
Four out of five stars
