Tedisco: Robots, AI and Remote Learning Can’t Replace Human Interaction in Our Schools in Educating Our Children

“Robots and artificial intelligence should not be teaching our children online. Technology can be a vital resource and a short-term measure in this current crisis, but it doesn’t have a personality that can nurture, reinforce, and build self-esteem and confidence in children and students. Distance learning can’t help provide socialization skills and the important qualities of personal interaction, empathy, respect for diversity, and compassion for the needs and concerns of others.” 

“As a former special education teacher, guidance counselor, athletic director and coach, I'm one of the few lawmakers who has actually taught in a classroom.  As someone who truly embrace new technology and social media, I am deeply concerned about going over the cliff on this in our schools and replacing face-to-face, in-person human interaction with a computer.”

“If anything, this COVID-19 pandemic and its forced isolation has taught us is the importance of the human need for social interaction that technology can never fulfill. Governor Cuomo: please keep the students and their teacher mentors together in the classroom! Humanity depends upon it and so does their education!”