Technology in Schools Synthesis Question modified from the 2010 AP Language Exam
10 Honors, Spring 2011
Dr. Gingrich
Rough Draft: Friday, January 20th
2nd Draft: Friday, January 27th
Final drafts should be 1000 to 1500 words (4 to 6 pages, typed, double-spaced)
Introduction
Students use technology everyday, almost every minute, from Ipods, to the internet, to facebook, to video games. Many argue that these electronic devices are distractions whose uses should be limited in schools. Others argue that they can have a significant impact upon learning if used effectively. Much attention has been given lately to the ubiquitous presence of information technologies. Our daily lives seem to be saturated with television, computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and MP3 players, to name just a few of the most common technologies. Many people extol the ability of such technologies to provide easy access to information and facilitate research and learning. At the same time, however, some critics worry that the widespread use of information technologies forces our lives to move too quickly. We encounter images and information from the Internet and other sources faster than we can process or evaluate them, and even though electronic communication has been enhanced, both the quality and quantity of face-to-face interaction is changing.
Assignment
Read the following sources (including the introductory information) carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support and then uses three new sources which the author finds on their own that argues for or against the inclusion of electronic devices in schools.
Consider the following in your essay. Your essay does not have to answer all of these but the ones that you think are most important