Quote of the Week: The position of knowledge relayer should be replaced by that of "cognitive engineer" / ITech content

Content:

• Context

The Director of the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology of Education at Moscow City Pedagogical University (MCPU) is responsible for the strategic leadership and development of educational programs in pedagogy and psychology. His responsibilities include coordinating research, managing the educational process, and interacting with faculty and students. The director is also actively involved in the implementation of innovative approaches to teaching and upbringing, which contributes to improving the quality of education and training qualified specialists in the fields of pedagogy and psychology.

The major Moscow State Pedagogical Univ. Conference is taking place in a unique atmosphere of knowledge and experience exchange. This event brings together specialists, students, and faculty, providing a platform for discussing current topics in education and science. Conference participants have the opportunity to learn about new approaches and methods in teaching and present their research. Join us to be at the forefront of educational innovation and expand your professional horizons.

A significant shift is needed in the approach to the role of the teacher, who has traditionally served as a relay of knowledge. Previously, teachers simply conveyed information on their subjects, whether mathematics or biology. Now, a shift to the role of cognitive engineer is required—a specialist who understands how both natural and artificial thought processes function. It is important for such a specialist to be well-versed in metacognitive aspects and able to recognize and regulate students' thought processes. Methodologists must transform themselves into cognitive technologists who will develop effective teaching technologies. In the near future, teachers will be able to use electronic virtual assistants, which may take the form of robots or digital beings that teach individually or in groups. In this new role, the teacher will act as an engineer, overseeing the educational process and applying technologies created by cognitive technologists. This will lead to a fundamental shift in the paradigm of teacher training and their role in the educational process.

Context

From June 28 to 30, the "Big Conference of the Moscow City Pedagogical University" was held. This event brought together researchers and practitioners in the field of education. The panel "New Pedagogy and Digital Technologies" discussed the changes that technology is bringing to the teaching and learning process, as well as to the daily activities of teachers. During the conference, experts presented current approaches and innovative solutions that facilitate the integration of digital technologies into the educational process.

Evgeny Patarakin, Professor at the Institute of Digital Education at Moscow State Pedagogical Univ., presented a report on the transformation of the traditional field of didactics. Previously, the primary participants in the educational process were only people—the teacher and the student. However, a new actor has now entered the picture—the computer agent, which has become an independent entity in learning. We have already passed the stage when people used computing technology solely as a tool for knowledge transfer. Now, computer programs can act as teachers, testing and assessing students' knowledge. Moreover, an even more exciting model has emerged: people learn by controlling computer agents, creating and developing programs such as artificial intelligence. This evolution in education opens new horizons for learning and interaction between people and technology.

The discussion's moderator, Kirill Barannikov, Vice-Rector of Moscow State Pedagogical Univ., raised the question of whether we have reached a point of no return, where traditional teaching methods become outdated and less relevant. He expressed concern that as a result, schools and universities could lose their relevance. The discussion participants did not share the pessimistic predictions about the disappearance of educational institutions, but they agreed that the role of the teacher is changing. In today's reality, it is necessary to adapt to new challenges and demands, making the learning process more dynamic and diverse. Alexander Savenkov emphasizes the importance of preparing future teachers for the new environment, where they must become "cognitive engineers" rather than simply "knowledge relays." These changes also affect the role of methodologists: the traditional creation of educational programs in the form of text-based assignments is outdated. In today's reality, a methodologist must act as a "cognitive technologist," developing innovative teaching technologies. The teacher, in turn, becomes a kind of engineer, managing the educational process with the help of digital assistants. This approach radically transforms the educational process, making it more effective and adaptive to the needs of students.

The speaker noted that the current system is complex and stagnant. However, it is important to recognize the need to embrace this complexity and adapt to change.

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