Argument: Computers and Internet distract from real learning

Support

• tianshi (online debater). Economist Debate Series. October 20, 2007 – “the majority of students are too little self-control to focus on their stduies while using computers because there are lts of tempetaion on line. And as for mature students like college students, they can make use of the resourse of internet by themselves.”

• Richardburton (online debater). Economist Debate Series. October 20, 2007 – “The internet makes it hard for students to focus. It is so easy to flit between websites when “multi-tasking” and forget the task in hand.”

• jnov (online debater). Economist Debate Series. October 20, 2007 – “what do most of those students use those laptops for? Viewing their Facebook and MySpace accounts during their breaks and at lunchtime.”

• Wet Hole (online debater). Economist Debate Series. October 18, 2007 – “Society and technological development march onward in synchrony, however, more often than not this develpment is not directed towards education but rather entertainment. Although there are noteworthy counter examples such as wikipedia and Nintendo DS educational software, far more often technology is employed with the aim of numbing minds.”

Counter-argument

• Argument: Teachers should instruct students on ways to avoid the distractions of the Internet
• Argument: Schools should adopt the use of technology as a way to maintain student interest

See also