Category: Technology

‘The educational potential of the internet is greater than any danger it may pose to younger users.’ Discuss.

Possible points for/against the educational potential of the internet

• Ease and speed of collaboration with others (teachers/peers/experts)
• Dramatic increase in computer possession (laptop/hand-held mobile devices)
• Opportunity for global communication
• Access to a variety of information and knowledge (databases/video clips/graphics/ newspapers)
• Reduces the need for traditional libraries
• On-line classes/qualifications
• Homework potential
• Flexibility in applying for university/college places
• Viruses
• Too much information – can miss main points
• Information could be inaccurate/misleading
• Encounter ‘inappropriate’ sites
• Addiction
• Distraction
• Cheating (plagiarism)
• A reasoned assessment of ‘greater’ is required

In a technological society, do libraries still have a role to play?

Libraries have always played an important role in society by disseminating knowledge and information. However, the advent of technology has made it possible for people to use a digital library of their own. With such technological advancements like ebooks, online research papers and digital encyclopaedias people have started to question the relevance of the library. While some believe that the library has no relevance in technologically advanced society today, there are others who believe that libraries are still needed as safe haven for knowledge and information. Libraries still have a role to play in society and act as a physical reservoir of knowledge and community builder.


Critics believe that libraries have lost their significance in society. They argue that in the day and age of the internet where information is available at our fingertips, libraries have already become obsolete. With high-speed internet and various knowledge repositories online, people rarely visit the library to seek information. The critics further cite that books in libraries can be old, torn and published in tiny illegible fonts. Leaning on every possibility, these modern-day curmudgeons suggest that books are bad for the environment as there is a large carbon footprint associated with their production and maintenance. eBooks and digital content, on the other hand, provide people with the convenience to adjust the font size and increase brightness leading to an optimal reading experience. Technological advancements have allowed people from different countries to access content from any part of the world. This accessibility is rare to find in libraries, where people might have to travel to different libraries to seek the information they need. As such many critics believe that the library does not have any role left to play in society.

The reality, however, is that the internet with all its benefits also comes with flaws. The myriad of information that the internet provides is not always accurate. On the other hand, libraries have played an instrumental role in providing access to huge resources of information and knowledge that are accurate. Many of the works in the libraries are published by renowned authors whose work goes through quality checks before being published. The public library forms an essential part of fostering an educated and literate population. Libraries provide reliable sources of information instead of the internet which can be considered wild west in terms of accuracy. This is because information curated and provided can be from anyone. For example, popular website Wikipedia that is accessible to all which also gives the ability for anyone, anywhere, to edit Wikipedia entries making it unreliable and flawed. Therefore, even in a technologically advanced society, where reading and seeking information has changed, libraries play an important role in providing spaces to reliable information.

Libraries also have a role in bringing communities together. Apart from playing the role of book repositories libraries are critical to bringing closer communities in society. Libraries provide a space for communities to interact and engage with each other. Through their community programs, direct librarian assistance and basic internet access, libraries provide equal opportunities to access information and decrease the digital divide. Libraries are community hubs today where people of different ages and classes can be catered to. Whether it is a family looking for a fun storytime or an immigrant in need of language resources libraries fulfil people’s need to learn together. For example, the National Library in Singapore in an effort to strengthen the command of mother tongues has set up several mother tongue language reading clubs for children in libraries across the island. Thus, libraries play an important role in bringing communities together and thus are important in our technological society.

Libraries also give people the opportunity to experience something tangible. Not all people are comfortable reading books on devices like Kindle, Ipads or smartphones. There are many readers who need the experience of holding a book in their hand and flipping through the pages. The library fulfils this very need of the people by providing them something tangible. This is especially true in cases where people are interested in reading classics like Shakespeare or Hemingway, which feel more authentic on paper than on screen. Furthermore, libraries allow access to old newspaper articles and other resources which cannot be found on the internet. Thus, the library holds a different kind of aura which can transport people to another era through access to different types of resources which simply cannot be found today.


It is clear to see that libraries have an important role to play even in today’s society. Libraries provide people with resources and bridge the knowledge divide. Libraries are not only instrumental as reservoirs of knowledge but are also essential in bringing communities together. Libraries cannot be replaced in society as it still holds a special place in people’s hearts and minds.

Technology has worsened conflict in society. Do you agree?

Is it fair to say that technology has only  worsened conflict In society?

Modern day Luddities have decried the overgrowth of technology in our lives, claiming that it has worsened our lives. These same neo-technophobes use handphones to communicate, use social media to gain attention and even take comfort in doctors giving them the all clear. These fatalists constantly misread technology and believe that sociopolitical tensions emanate from technology. Nothing can be further than the truth. Technology has not worsened conflict in society.

Anyone that claims that technology has exacerbated the potential for war really does not understand global politics. They cite Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D) as Cold-War relic that still has significance today.  Or these doomsday proponents will raise Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative (S.D.I) as an additional example to bolster their weak M.A.D argument. Little do they realize that technology has infact reduced the need for destructive weapons. With military powers gaining technological advances, they have been able to map and track every pontial trouble and threat with satellites, sophisticated eavesdropping devices and surveillance. Now everyone knows what everyone else is doing. The recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan proved that technology could reduce conflict and collateral damage.

Ignorant science fiction readers constantly get their kickers in a knot when artificial intelligence (AI) is mentioned. Instead of being happy at the progress of technology, they highlight how Boston Dynamics has produced a series of robots that will bring the end of mankind. Such people understand little about economics and productivity. One would go so far as to say that the reruns of Terminator have corrupted their mind to the extent that no logic can work on them. AI’s use is most effective in crunching large data and producing meta-analysis that can be useful. The use of AI in smart decision making, managing repetitive tasks, solving complex problems and enhancing medical science is set-aside and disregarded over science fiction that makes no economic sense.

Technology has provided underprivileged communities with tools needed to  combat systemic  inequalities. One  might  further  argue that  while minorities have historically, always, and inevitably  been underprivileged groups susceptible to  the  prejudices and  discrimination, with today’s technology many groups have become more empowered. These represent an entirely  new set of tools  with which underprivileged groups can finally effectively  contest their  marginalisation.  Social  media,  online learning, and online activism have enabled minority groups to bring attention to their plight, although it might not be significant in bringing immediate change. To say that technology has brought conflict is unfounded. Technology only worsens conflict  because it is unbridled and unregulated, without a strict ethical code  of application and laws  to  prevent its  misuse.  So  long  as  technology and  innovation are coupled with an  effective,  extensive and  comprehensive set  of laws and regulations, its negative impact  can be minimised while the  myriad  of positives it brings  are fully explored and  enjoyed.

There is no doubt that technological development has been  almost  single-handedly  responsible  for  the   astonishing improvement in global  standards of living as witnessed in the  past  three centuries. In itself,  this  has  reduced the  potential for  conflict,  because outright war is disincentivised in a time of material comfort that  risks ruination were  conflict  and  disruption to  arise.  Technology has not worsened conflict.

‘The media is guilty of misguiding’. To what extent is this true?

The media can be said to play an important role in contemporary society. It is present everywhere from traditional media such as television or newspapers to new media such as social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. In my opinion, the media is guilty to a large extent of misguiding with regards to negatively influencing the mindsets of individuals in the aspects of race, politics and education.

Media can cause conflict through inflammatory remarks and deepen racial divides. For example, in 1964, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) a political party in Malaysia., utilised the local Malay newspaper, Utasan Malayu to incept anti-racial thoughts into Malays, particularly through the dissemination of rumours that Malays in Singapore were ill-treated by other races and the People’s Action Party. This led to racial riots across the Causeway in both Singapore and Malaysia leading to heavy casualties.  Hence, conflict can arise from untrue generalisations through the use of media in which anti-racial sentiments is brought up. These may then be sensationalised by the Media which may intensify anti-racial thoughts. This is largely indicative of how the media is guilty of misguiding in displaying anti-racial rhetoric which can cause different races to turn against one another.

[you only cited one example – you have to address it quickly if this is an anomaly or something that occurs regularly]

Media may also be extremely biased especially when it is state-controlled in which false claims are published. For example, at in a national North Korean state-sponsored website, it was cited that close to 99% of North Koreans voted in a national poll for the ruling party in ‘free and fair’ elections. This is obviously untrue and is published probably to deceive the international community as well as North Koreans that North Korea’s leadership is well received and is in a stable position so as to consolidate power. Hence this shows how the state, or in this case, the leadership of the state may utilise the media to further their own agendas thus proving how media may be extremely biased towards a state or in this case, leadership of a state. Thus, it largely indicates how the media is guilty of misguiding through the deception of the common masses especially by state-controlled media in which may result in manipulation of the people to reach its objectives.

[why is the above point on North Korean elections viewed with trepidation? Why can one NOT believe that is said in the N/Korean press?]

Media can also negatively influence individuals through popular portrayals which may result in undesired social consequences. For example, the Success Tech Academy shooting in which resulted in the death of students believed to be caused by bullying and social trauma. Although it is undeniable that the social pressure exerted on the shooter by the bully may have largely compelled him, however, the Media may also have played a role in this unfortunate accident. Through popular violent portrayals in mediums such as television, teenagers may become negatively influenced and misled into thinking that violence was justifiable under various circumstances and that human life has little value. Had there not been popular violent portrayals, the perpetrator might have to think twice about taking a human life thus it may have inadvertently caused the shooting to occur. Hence, this shows how the media may exert negative influence onto individuals, instilling the wrong set of values thus misguiding individuals into heinous acts as such.

However, some may argue that media can also help in edifying individuals particularly through the rise of various platforms.  For example, e-learning implemented by schools worldwide can help students to learn through the internet with the use of multiple interactive websites. Online learning can also provide a plethora of resources through numerous websites which may contain a surfeit of useful information. This can help students to gather more information in regards to a particular field of study and conduct research more effectively. Thus, this shows how the media is not only not guilty of misguiding but is in fact useful in guiding students particularly in education for example, in aiding with research and providing more information in which students can learn and understand better. Although this may be true, however, advocates of this claim have failed to realise that these platforms can at the same time, be guilty of misguiding individuals (in this case students). For example, although the use of interactive websites may be useful for learning, however, these websites may also be biased and provide false information. Eg? Students, being unequipped with prior expertise, may fail to realise that they may be in fact absorbing wrong facts and may lead to grave misconceptions. Thus, although interactive media can aid in learning, however, it has limitations and is still largely guilty of misguiding particularly through wrong facts and may thus obscure understanding and application of learning concepts.

On the other hand, detractors may also argue that Media can help to provide fast and accurate news through eyewitness accounts with the rise of citizen journalism. This can be done through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. An example of this would be the recent General Elections in Singapore where the latest news was constantly updated in various social websites as well as blogs and video blogs (vlogs). By providing up to date news through eyewitness accounts, more information can be provided. Hence, the media is not guilty of misguiding but can, in fact, guide individuals into better decision making with more information provided. While I agree this is true, however citizen journalism can also be laden with inaccuracies as well as bias. For example, people may not report their findings objectively and may, in fact, report things from one party’s point of view to get others to see things in his/her perspective. Eg? In addition, the news reported in various sites, especially social networking sites may be filled with inaccuracies as people may attempt to sensationalise a piece of news to cause greater impression or even garner a greater commotion. Eg? Thus, although the media may in some cases guide individuals by providing more information through citizen journalism, however, it is still largely guilty of misguiding individuals due to bias as well as inaccuracies.

In conclusion, I feel that the Media is largely guilty of misguiding by creating false impressions and misleading untruths. This misguidance may have broader implications in an increasingly wired society which is dependent on media particularly new media. With the rise of new media, ever greater complex issues will begin to surface with the examples of cyber-bullying and shootings such as that of the Californian shootings. (which one?)_ It may well be up to individuals to discern information and extricate themselves from the misguidance media may bring.

Hi Alan.

An interesting essay, but you’ve not seen the big picture. Your counter-arguments are non-existent, and the balance is too short and not in-depth.

C: 14/30  L: 12/20

To what extent has technology changed the face of education?

Technology has transformed the education system today, especially in developed countries. It has changed the pedagogical methods in education, where teachers are slowly moving away from the traditional blackboard teaching to using computers. Technology has also influenced the way students learn and have reduced their dependence on teachers as their mentors. Written assessments are also slowly being replaced by computerized assessments. Therefore, some are of the opinion that technology has changed the face of education significantly. On the flip side, critics have claimed that technology remains an additional tool to educate and the traditional methods of teaching and learning remain largely unchanged. While it is true that technology has changed the face of education, it is not to say that traditional methods of teaching and learning have become obsolete.

[The question is TWE, so you have to show the extent in the intro. Based on your hook and overview, seems like you agree that tech has changed the face of education. The last sentence is not needed unless you disagree, then your first 5 sentences have to be changed.]

Technology has changed the way students learn. In the past, students generally derive their knowledge from their teachers and schools. However, today, more students are becoming less reliant on their teachers for knowledge and are instead using technology to do independent learning. Especially in this age where information and knowledge become obsolete quickly, what students learn in school could be outdated. Therefore, technology has allowed students to derive up-to-date information more easily and have diminished the traditional role of teachers as mentors. With more schools being equipped with tablet computers and e-readers, students can engage in online learning using MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) such as the Khan Academy. There has also been a rising trend of students using their mobile phones in class to search for information. Furthermore, with the ‘Teach Less, Learn More’ initiative in schools in Singapore, teachers are required to teach less while students do independent research work. However, even though it is true that students are moving away from relying on their teachers for knowledge and are becoming more open to using technology, one has to recognise that this shift is still less significant in schools today. This is due to the fact that there is still a significant dependence on schools and teachers in providing fundamental knowledge to students. Furthermore, information that students access to online could be inaccurate or excessive, which could instead debilitate students’ learning rather than allowing them to learn more. Therefore, while it is true that technology has contributed to a change in the way students learn, it is not to say that this shift is so significant that teachers’ role as a knowledge provider has become obsolete.

[To show a further link, you can show that just as tech has changed the face of business, similarly, a new pool of knowledge workers has to be trained in school to meet the demands of industry].

Technology has changed the way teachers teach today. Teachers today are slowly moving away from the traditional blackboard to the use of technology in their teaching. For example, in a recent 2013 survey conducted by the PBS LearningMedia, 71% of school teachers in the United States have used tablet computers or e-readers in their classrooms. The use of technology has allowed teachers to respond to a variety of learning styles known as VARK(Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, Kinesthetic). For example, web-based educational games provide hands-on activities for kinesthetic learners, while interactive whiteboards allow visual learners to learn better. This move to a less didactic teaching environment has also allowed for more classroom discussions. While these are encouraging signs of change in the way teachers teach, it is not to say that traditional blackboard teaching is no longer useful. Traditional blackboard teaching is still useful in today’s education system as it is a simple and convenient method of teaching. Therefore, technology should not be viewed as a replacement but more of a complement to traditional blackboard teaching. One also has to be aware that technology serves as a tool to assist teaching and should not become a teaching crutch. Hence, while it is true that teachers are embracing technology as a tool in teaching, traditional methods of teaching still remain relevant today.

[The eval is good. It is important to recognize that these changes are in the developed world, while the developing world battles for tech to be used in different ways, such as soil sample analysis, water pH level reading, new methods of farming, etc]

Technology has also changed the way assessments are carried out and graded. Today, written assessments are slowly being converted to electronic-based assessments, which students can access to using their tablet computers or mobile phones. This has also made it easier for students to detect any plagiarism in their work by using plagiarism checkers available online. Technology has also influenced the way in which teachers mark and grade their students’ work.  For example, Harvard University has recently introduced an automated computerised system that uses artificial intelligence to grade their students’ essays. These signs of change show that technology is slowly replacing written work. However, it is important to recognise that major assessments and examinations are still largely written and the grading of these assessments is still being done by writing. Therefore, electronic-based assessments may apply more for minor examinations and term tests. Hence, even though technology has transformed the written nature of assessments to electronic-based, this transformation is still less significant in schools today.

[Students do not check for plagiarism, the school does. If the student has plagiarized, the student knows – no need to check. What about assessments that cannot use tech?]

Conclusion?