Today is World Teachers' Day. A teacher is one of the first concepts we encounter after our parents; individuals who, at some point, we may even see more often than our own parents. Therefore, a teacher's influence on a person's life is significant, with both positive and negative impacts that can affect generations. 

Despite rapid advancements in technology, the internet, and artificial intelligence permeating every aspect of our lives, the concept of a teacher refers to something deeper: teaching and learning. This is because the relationship between a teacher and a student is inherently a two-way, multi-faceted interaction. 

Communication can be classified into different types: one-way (an individual with themselves), two-way (two parties interacting), and multi-party (one individual with multiple others and vice versa). In the context of teachers, we are focusing on the interaction between an individual (the teacher) and others (the students). This person is not necessarily the teacher you see in school or university; they could also be your parents in the earliest stages of life. 

We learn in three main ways: by seeing, by reading, or by being taught. In the early years of life, the last method (being taught) is most prevalent. Therefore, the guidance and development of an individual during these formative years, much like how we subconsciously learned our mother tongue, are crucial, even though we might not remember these early experiences. 

As we grow older, we begin to understand the true meaning of learning. We realize that having a teacher is no longer a necessity; we can become our own teachers. This concept has become much easier with the advancements in technology and the vast access to information. 

Forty years ago, this level of access to information was not available to previous generations. Twenty years ago, smartphones did not exist as they do today. Ten years ago, learning a new language was not as easy (a process that will transform even more with the advent of microchips). Just five years ago, discussions around artificial intelligence were not as widespread. Therefore, it is certain that five years from now, we will witness new wonders compared to what we know today. 

This shift in learning, originally the goal of teaching and educators, will undergo significant changes due to these transformations. Therefore, the way we currently act as our own teachers, and how we learn from what we see around us and in the world, will shape our approach and preparedness over the next five years. This level of preparedness has always been, and continues to be, one of the key objectives of learning. 

By: Houman Jahangard