With the increase of accessibility of new information and technology, schools are becoming more technology dependent. The influx of school-owned iPads, smartboards, laptops, and other gadgets that would aid students in their academic pursuits has brought differing opinions among students.
Franchesca Icaza, a junior in Korea Kent Foreign School (KKFS), believes that schools are responsible for preparing students for the world outside, and that includes becoming familiar with technological tools. “A lot of people think they’re just used for games and Facebook, but I think students should be more exposed to things that they would most likely use when they go to college or get jobs,” said Icaza. She also added, “If iPads and computers are made to make our lives easier, I don’t see why it would be such a bad thing to use them at school.”
Younger students, such as Emily Han, an 8th grade student in KKFS, agree with Icaza that technology dependency is highly beneficial to their school lives.
“I go to the library everyday to use the Internet to do my homework, and sometimes I use the eBook site to read books that I don’t have at home,” said Han. She stated that she’s becoming more familiar with technology because of the wide availability of computers at school.
However, at the same time, there are students who doubt the supposed benefits of technology.
Cornelia Nguema, a senior in KKFS, is still uncomfortable with using the computer, despite her teachers’ constant effort to familiarize her with technology. “I never saw why teachers couldn’t just accept the fact that I’m not good with using computers and the Internet,” said Nguema. She also stated, “It’s good to have a variety of educational tools at school, but I don’t think teachers should enforce one particular way on students.”
Sarah Lee, a junior in KKFS, also agrees with Nguema. “Technology is meant to open up newer, easier ways to get information, but I feel like it’s turning into more like a dogma, where you have to use this laptop or that iPad to finish a task,” said Lee. “Being technology-friendly is becoming a responsibility instead of an opportunity.”
first of all BAM AWESOME for using so many interesting, opinion-based quotes! the article flowed pretty well (support-oppose) and i thought the variety of the sources’ ages was really good too.
just a few things that would make the story even more coolbeans:
-conclusion! although many news stories end with a quote, your story was more a discussion and so should have been wrapped up at the end (maybe by refering back to your headline).
-quote format! just a stylebook thing, but refer to the format that goes like this- “~~~~~~~~,” said ~~~~, a junior at ~~~~~~~. “~~~~~~~~”
one usually doesn’t introduce sources in the previous paragraph, either; providing a transition into the subject matter (that’s specific enough to make it flow but doesn’t talk too specifically about what the quote says) is enough.
good job! 🙂