TASK 2 (Academic and General Training)
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
An increasing number of schools provide tablets and laptop computers for students to use in school, replacing books and other printed materials like exams and assignments.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?**
Write at least 250 words
Sample Answer:
Digital learning has become very popular these days. With numerous applications and software , schools and learning institutes are shifting to these modes for effective teaching -learning process. Schools are providing students with tablets and laptops right at the time of enrollment. While it seems to be an attractive proposition for students, colleges and schools are using this strategy to proclaim their high standards!
In times of adversity such as these, where offices have closed down and social distancing is must to prevent further spread of pandemic, imparting education through this method has pulled over immense support from parents and students. Without coming to school , students are able continue their studies at home. It has made lessons interesting, entertaining and also easy. Instead of a monotonous lecture on the working of a car engine, a video would say a lot about the function and process involved . Besides, certainly anybody would prefer this!
While there are many advantages of online lessons, long hours on screen is still a perturbation for parents. With so much of unrest and stress at home, during lockdown, pupils already supplied with devices by their institutes have been able to continue the learning which otherwise would have been impossible but what is even more ironic is that the learning output is still low. Amount of distractions and obsession with social media is stimulated even more with handling of devices and internet to the children. No doubt, that technology has been an aid, but youth today seems more disoriented even after rapid advancement in pedagogical resources. For example there are endless videos explaining concepts and phenomena on YouTube but on the other hand how much is the child grasping or is it taken seriously? or even if the application is accessed for learning or to watch pornography, is a big question!
It is no surprise , holding a book is a different experience altogether. Possessing a book would develop respect and patience in the reader. As online materials are often neglected for having saved in the laptop to be referred later on, nonetheless availability and access to resources through online portals has extended their use beyond classroom.
Even evaluation and result compilation has been simplified by the latest education software available in the market. There is no denying that it is fast and consumes less time as the grades are available immediately !
** Essay topic has been taken from MagooshIELTS.com