Monday, March 21, 2016

Computers or Textbooks?

Paper or Digital?


My friend was on Minecraft for the 20th time this quarter. In class, I see her go on the computer to play games every single time the teacher’s back is turned. I feel that textbooks and books should not be replaced by any type of electronics because laptops are fragile ,costly, distracting, and environmentally unfriendly.
First of all, laptops can be really distracting. The students can go online, play games, and text. But not only that, other kids around the one with the laptop can become abstracted. Furthermore, some websites students go on are inappropriate or have inappropriate ads on them which is not good for students. On the other hand, books allow kids to focus more since paper cannot lead to social media, games, or other websites.
Computers, tablets, or any type of electronics are all costly and very fragile. Electronics are not only more expensive than textbooks but are far more costly to maintain. A textbook may go through years and even a decade or more of usage, if handled properly, without needing to be replaced. But because tablets are so fragile, it's most likely that in the hands of careless students, they would need constant repair and replacement in just a few short years, either from accidental drops, vandalism, or worse. Also, the operating system would need upgrading throughout the years, adding to the costs of maintenance. Compared to a textbook, which might cost $50-$100 at the most per student, a laptop would easily cost triple that over the course of its lifetime.
http://online-education-degrees.org/2013/06/05/tablets-replace-textbooks-classroom/
On the other hand, some may argue that textbooks and paper are made from trees, and that is clearly harming the ecosystem since cutting down trees is bad for our environment. Nevertheless, the metal and plastic used to produce computers are just as bad for the environment because it would take years to decompose. For textbooks, you can recycle the paper used to print the book. Factories that make the computers are releasing CO2 into the air and, therefore, breaking the ozone layer even more. But not only that, in eastern Congo today, the mineral used to produce electronics are financing multiple armed groups, many of whom use mass rape as a deliberate strategy to intimidate and control local populations, thereby securing control of mines, trading routes, and other strategic areas.
Like I stated before, electronics are costly to maintain and replace. Though you might end up chopping down some trees, you will save a lot more than money in the end. Replacing books with laptops have more negative effects rather than being more efficient.


43 comments:

  1. I actually like you, prefer paper textbook over computer ones. As a counterargument, u can also include the fact that textbooks are pretty heavy compared to a computer. Nice debate. :D
    -Annie (musicah2003.blogspot.com)

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  2. I liked your blog. However, although it is possible distracting, it also is faster to use (finding a word on the internet easier than using dictionary, etc.). You also find an argument against the fact that computers can be used again while workbook (textbooks can be reused but not workbooks) so weighing that, the cost could possibly be less. Another alternative would be an i pad like many schools already have. Plus, If you keep having to replace textbooks, it actually could hurt the environment, and a computers probably going to be less polluting than say... 10 textbooks.

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  4. I actually prefer using textbooks on the computer, but I do agree that it's very hard not to play games or do something else when using a computer. You really good reasons because most people don't think about the cost and how bad they are for the environment.
    http://fifthperiod-claire.blogspot.com/

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  5. I like how you say why using electronics are better than paper but I think you need a stronger counterclaim. :D

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  6. Nice blog, has good reasoning and evidence, but not many people would disagree with your claim. By:around the one with the laptop can become abstracted,did you mean distracted instead of abstracted.

    around the one with the laptop can become abstracted

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  7. Good Reasons. But what if you need a definition of a word really quickly. You can search it up. What about look at the news?? Search it up. I don't know if your essay is very strong, but it does make people think a little.
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  8. I really enjoyed reading your essay. I personally dont know what to think about this subject there are so many pros and cons to this. You were able to get your point across and also provide evidence.
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  9. Although I don't completely agree with what your essay says, I did enjoy reading it and loved all your claims and reasons, also your supporting details.
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  10. nice blog i kind of agree but wont kids look up games and not work? well good blog. My blog: Josephblogs12345.blogspot.com

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  11. I agree with you since I think that digital is saving paper. We should use better technology if we have it .Please check out my blog: http://hotspot-kevin.blogspot.com/.

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    1. Did you even read my essay? My claim was Textbooks should not be replaced by electronics...

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  12. I agree with you as I hate reading on a tablet or electronic. It makes my eyes tired. go to my blog: ohbabytimes.blogspot.com

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  13. I agree with you. Sometimes textbooks have more information then the computer. Please check out my blog: http://gsehrempaand.blogspot.com/

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  14. Nice blog, even though I don't exactly agree with your claim, because people can use apple remote desktop to see what students are doing.
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  15. I think that we should have both. Books are for reading and research, and the electronics are for games and shows, and research. Overall, great job!
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  16. I agree with you. I know that textbooks give a lot of good information than the computer. I also think that computers gives a lot of information but you won't know which one is the right answer. People usually start playing games because hey get distracted. http://conniebubble.blogspot.com/

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  17. I definately agree with you. I like how u put good evidence and the picture really go with the claim.

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  18. I absolutely agree with you because people are getting glasses and in some cases they get edicted too that.

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  19. Good essay! I agree with your claim that electronics are very distracting. You had good reasons and evidence, but I would suggest to not put the links to the sources in the middle of the essay, because it distracts the reader from your writing.
    http://allemandine.blogspot.com/

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  20. great essay i agree with you, i really enjoyed reading it

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  21. I agree with you. In 6th grade there was one kid who was working on his laptop and I saw that he was playing games instead of working and he got in trouble.

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  22. You are using a computer to type this essay :D. I don't agree with you. Macs that we use may be expensive as hell, and I agree with you on that. However, there is so much more to learn from the internet than a textbook. If you have a cost-effective solution, such as a chromebook, a computer would definitely be worth the price.

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  23. I agree with Ethan X. You would never get enough books to match the amount of information that is on the internet. However, I thought you put up a great argument. Great job!!
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  24. I agree with Alden G. You would never get enough books to match the amount of information that is on the internet. Nice essay and good format!

    -Michael peng

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    Replies
    1. Wow. Did you copy and paste and modify a tiny bit?

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  25. Nice Essay.

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  26. I agree with you for the most part because I think that computers can still be helpful with studying. Your argument was also very interesting.

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  27. Nice blog! It's such a coincidence that I should be doing homework right now but instead i'm commenting!

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  28. I agree with you that textbooks should not be replaced with laptops.As you said a lot of people play games on the laptops when the teachers back is turned.I think this is true.My blog is dancer2003.blogspot.com

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  29. Nice essay. There is plenty of evidence to support your reasons. Before I read your essay, I felt like tablets and computers are better to use, as they can be used for long time of periods and can access many different websites, while a book can only have info on the specified topics. Your essay has convinced me, as I personally see many people play games on the laptop, while the teacher is not looking. Gj
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  30. Good topic, I totally agree.
    http://www.ohmydisney4803.blogspot.com

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  31. Very well written. Good job with the points and the supporting details. Cool topic!

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  32. In the beginning, I liked how you used a personal experience to hint at why you prefer paper textbooks. Your essay was well composed and communicated your unwavering opinion about textbooks to me throughout the essay. Great job!

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  33. "My friend was on Minecraft for the 20th time this quarter. In class, I see her go on the computer to play games every single time the teacher’s back is turned." This isn't very believable, because why would someone download a game that costs 25$ on a SCHOOL computer? Otherwise, great essay

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  34. "My friend was on Minecraft for the 20th time this quarter. In class, I see her go on the computer to play games every single time the teacher’s back is turned." This isn't very believable, because why would someone download a game that costs 25$ on a SCHOOL computer? Otherwise, great essay

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    Replies
    1. It does not cost 25$ to download. One account costs 25 and once you buy it, you just need to download.

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  36. I disagree with you because if everything was digital, it would be impossible to lose anything. Also, you can program electronics to not be able to access the internet except to access new updates.

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  37. Great Essay! I think that computers are more convenient. As long as students obey the tech agreement they signed computers shouldn't be getting replaced as often. Also it's a students choice to distract themselves. Who knows maybe you could help your friend to stop.

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  38. Nice blog! You're right. Computers and laptops can be a huge distraction. But, teachers can monitor their students to make sure no one is playing games. Currently computers seem to be the most effiecent and fastest way to learn. Great argument though for the metal and plastic used to produce computers are just as bad for the environment as textbooks!

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  39. Nice blog! You're right. Computers and laptops can be a huge distraction. But, teachers can monitor their students to make sure no one is playing games. Currently computers seem to be the most effiecent and fastest way to learn. Great argument though for the metal and plastic used to produce computers are just as bad for the environment as textbooks!

    Check out my blog: pizza-arushi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I really liked this essay, I was thinking about this topic a while ago. Although it would totally be awesome to be able to have a personal device with you all day long; it would definitely be distracting. (especially for people like me who have a really short attention span xD) So I definitely have mixed feelings on this topic. Your essay was very well written, and I can understand and agree with your points.

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