Someone Elses Shoes

TASK
Step One: Choose a topic that you are passionate about. Listed below are potential topics, but
feel free to go with an option that is not on the list:
Healthcare
Immigration
Animal Research
Welfare
Environmental Issues
Gun Rights
Death Penalty
Driving Age
Border Fence Between US and Mexico
Vegetarianism

Step Two: Consider your point-of-view on the issue. Now, ask yourself the following question:
What is the opposite point-of-view from my own? This is the point you will be researching.
Should technology replace textbooks and paper in schools?

Step Three: Conduct research on the opposing point-of-view addressing the following points.
Your research page should include:
At least three reasons why the opposition feels this way.
At least three pieces of specific evidence supporting the oppositions reasons.
(Evidence should not be opinion; seek out facts, statistics, conducted research, etc).
Cite at least three different sources supporting this information.

Step Four:

Option 1: Write 1-2 strong paragraphs from the perspective of your researched position. You are
taking on this position as though it is your own so you must FIGHT for yourself!

Option 2: Write an explanatory piece. Write a brief introduction regarding your actual position
and then 1-2 paragraphs of researched explanation regarding the other point-of-view.

The top three paragraphs (with the best arguments/research!) will be exempt from a homework
assignment. Please remember to structure your argument in a logical way with a topic sentence,
background information, evidence, and clear analysis!

Research Page
Topic: Technology vs pen and paper
Your Original Opinion: Technology should not replace textbooks in schools.
The Opposing Opinion: Technology should replace textbooks in schools.

Reasons/Supporting Evidence (and sources!):

1. http://neatoday.org/2013/07/31/as-more-schools-embrace-tablets-do-textbooks-
have-a-fighting-chance-2/
a. Textbooks weigh less
b. Hold hundreds of books in one place
c. Have an expandable memory
d. Cheaper
e. I see students holding down a word to get the meaning of it when
before they would just go on and hope to get the definition from context. Leann
Widhalm, a special education instructor at Norfolk Junior High in Nebraska.
f. Up to the minute information -- textbooks become outdated easily
g. Empowers to take charge of their own learning
2. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/schools-shift-from-textbooks-to-tablets/
a. "We must use technology to empower teachers and improve the
way students learn," said Joel Klein, a former New York City schools' chief who
now leads News Corp.'s education tablet program. "At its best, education
technology will change the face of education by helping teachers manage the
classroom and personalize instruction."
b. 2,000 schools worked with google to get chromebooks
c. 20 Million students and teachers are using them
d. Christine Quinn, the speaker of the New York City Council, has
suggested replacing textbooks - they cost the city $100 million a year - with
tablets. Schools in Los Angeles last month allocated $50 million to start buying
tablets for every student; the project is expected to cost $500 million by the time
it is completed. Schools in McAllen, Texas, distributed 6,800 Apple tablets last
year at a cost of $20.5 million.
e. It can switch between languages easily for bilingual families
3. http://online-education-degrees.org/2013/06/05/tablets-replace-textbooks-
classroom/
a. Many sizes
i. Large photos, graphics, charts
b. Offers animations
c. Can be personalized to fit a student's needs
d. Learn Faster (study by National Training and Simulation
Association (NTSA)
e. Increases collaboration
f. Leads to an increase in reading
4. http://community.mis.temple.edu/mis3538b2/2011/09/06/ipads-for-every-student/
a. Teachers can keep better track of student progress
 b. Save families money from buying, folders and binders and pen
and pencils
c. Parents can view grades better
d. Homework will be present and not left on the kitchen table as
often
5. https://www.districtadministration.com/article/textbooks-tablets
a. According to the U.S. Department of Education and recent
studies by the National Training and Simulation Association, technology-based
instruction can reduce the time students take to reach a learning objective by up
to 80 percent.

Argument Paragraph(s):
 Imagine living in a world where students learn material in almost double the time while

schools are saving money. This dream could become reality if schools went paperless; replacing

textbooks with tablets. If schools were to get rid of bulky, heavy textbooks, they would be not

only helping students learn faster and more efficiently they would be helping themselves

financially.

Studies conducted all over the country show one thing, students learning with

technology learn faster. National Training and Simulation Association and the U.S. Department

of Education ran a study on the topic and were able to conclude that learning with technology

reduces the time taken to reach an objective goal by 80% (Reiss). Students are able to learn

faster for so many different reasons. For one, lessons can be personalized to fit their individual

needs (Klindt). Although it might take time on the teacher's part, students can have personalized

lessons that focus on exactly what they need to learn and review the concepts they have a

strong grasp on by using a variety of apps. Joe Klein, former New York City schools' now leads

News Corp.'s education tablet program. Klein said, At its best, education technology will

change the face of education by helping teachers manage the classroom and personalize

instruction." Mike Kaspar, a STEM policy analyst for the National Education Association agrees

saying, It takes a lot of energy and effort to be able to search and develop new lessons, but

once you find materials best suited for the students, its easier the second go around. Those

are two professional who both believe that technology leads to better custom lessons. Many

professionals also fall back on the idea of empowerment. Again, Joe Klein was one of the

people who supported this idea. On the topic of teacher empowerment, Klein says,"We must

use technology to empower teachers and improve the way students learn. The teachers have

the power to go on the internet and view the countless lesson plans online to help create the

best lesson they can for their kids. They dont have to stick to the textbook, which may or may

not be even benefitting their class. Teachers have the power to think outside the box (lvarez).

Leann Widhalm, a special education instructor at Norfolk Junior High in Nebraska has seen
massive improvement in her students upon using technology. Widhalm says, I see students

holding down a word to get the meaning of it when before they would just go on and hope to get

the definition from context, she also loves the idea of up to date information instead of using

textbooks that could be up to 10 years old. Technology allows students a sense of freedom,

making them want to learn. The more a child wants to learn the faster they will reach their goals

and objectives.

Tablets may seem expensive, but in the long run they would save schools lots of money.

Christine Quinn, of the New York City Council, suggested replacing textbooks using financial

proof to prove her point. Textbooks cost the city $100 million a year. Los Angeles put $50 million

towards buying every student an ipad and expects the project to cost $500 million by the time it

is done (Schools). It costs more money upfront but textbooks need to be replaced every few

years due to damage and just simply being outdated. Overtime the investment will pay off in

more ways more than one. Students will be learning faster, schools will be saving money,

teachers and parents will be able to easily monitor their student's progress using the technology

and there are many more reasons for schools to go paperless. The decision is evident, schools

should be putting their books up on the shelf with cassette tapes and disposable cameras and

catching up with the rest of the modern revolution.

(Citations on next page)

MLA Works Cited

"As More Schools Embrace Tablets, Do Textbooks Have a Fighting Chance?" NEA

Today. N.p., 16 July 2016. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. <http://neatoday.org/2013/07/31/as-more-

schools-embrace-tablets-do-textbooks-have-a-fighting-chance-2/>.
 Ap. "Schools Shift from Textbooks to Tablets." CBS News. CBS Interactive, 06 Mar.

2013. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.cbsnews.com/news/schools-shift-from-textbooks-to-tablets/>.

Http://online-education-degrees.org/author/hcsuper/. "Should Tablets Replace Textbooks in the

Classroom?" Online Education Degrees. N.p., 12 May 2015. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

<http://online-education-degrees.org/2013/06/05/tablets-replace-textbooks-classroom/>.

"IPads for Every Student?" 2011 Fall Presentation and DQ Posts. N.p., n.d. Web. 01

Feb. 2017. <http://community.mis.temple.edu/mis3538b2/2011/09/06/ipads-for-every-student/>.

"Textbooks to Tablets." District Administration Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

<https://www.districtadministration.com/article/textbooks-tablets>.