Question

Write a composition (in approximately 400-450 words) on the following subject:

(You are reminded that you will be rewarded for orderly and coherent presentation of material, use of appropriate style and general accuracy of spelling, punctuation and grammar.)

Students should be allowed to use electronic gadgets in the classroom. Argue for or against this proposition.

Answer 1

STUDENTS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO USE ELECTRONIC GADGETS IN THE CLASSROOM

(I) FOR THE MOTION

Electronic gadgets provide instant access to a wealth of knowledge and information. Allowing students to use electronic gadgets in classrooms enables them to explore new ideas by expanding their capability in educational technology, applying 21st-century skills, building interpersonal communication skills, working more effectively with teams, and creating new, innovative ideas, concepts, and products.

According to Willie Mata of Centre Technologies, “Readiness for the future mobility is currently the next great movement in the workplace, and students who use technology in the classroom today will be more adapted to using it in the future.” The National Science Board in the USA states that in 2013, President Obama announced the Connected initiative, pledging to connect 99% of American students to next-generation broadband and high-speed wireless in their schools and libraries by 2018. With these new ideas, today’s youth can use their knowledge and skills in their future careers. The world will use technology more in the future than it does today.

Research has proven that blended learning styles keep students focused for longer and make them more excited to learn, especially for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects. Additionally, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and other digital devices can help students enhance interaction with instructors. Encouraging collaborative learning. This positively affects how students live, work, play, and, more importantly, learn. With the integration of technology into education, students can learn at their own pace, slow down, review lessons and concepts, or advance if they are fast learners. It also encourages teachers to assist their students on a more one-on-one level.

(II) AGAINST THE MOTION

Electronic gadgets such as cell phones and tablets should not be allowed in schools, as they can be major distractions for both students and teachers. For students, it will be a significant hindrance, as they might not keep up with the class while they are busy with their gadgets. For the teachers, it can disrupt their teaching process, as the entire flow and focus of the class will be distracted if any student is found fiddling with their phone. It has been found that, on average, students spend up to 20% of their classroom time texting, emailing, and checking their social media accounts. This leaves less time for the actual learning.

Moreover, students might browse irrelevant content, inappropriate websites, and watch distracting videos, wasting their precious time that could be utilised for studies or extracurricular activities. There have also been cases of cell phones being used to cheat during tests. Even if the student is not caught, it leads to a poor understanding. of the material and fosters dishonesty.

Phone cameras have occasionally been used maliciously, such as capturing indecent pictures and creating movies, which can negatively impact kids’ mental and physical health as well as their general development, mindset, and personality. Permitting pupils to use devices in class might also result in unhealthy student competition. This would be detrimental to the pupils’ health and promote inappropriate behaviors like harassment, bullying, and teasing. It can be more difficult to identify and control cyberbullying in particular.

Permitting students to use devices can also lead to social and economic inequality, forcing low-income parents to purchase costly mobile phones for their kids. This is counter to the goal of school uniforms, which is to make all children look the same in order to eradicate prejudice. As a result, the disadvantages of permitting electronic devices in classrooms greatly exceed the advantages.