LESSON 18

18

WILL YOU SURF ON THE INTERNET?

ACTIVITY 1: GETTING STARTED

Pair work:
1. Student A: use the words in the box to label the following visuals:
a printer a central unit a keyboard a mouse
a scanner a monitor loudspeakers

2. Student B: match each visual with the following sentences:

a) Its used for writing texts or giving instructions.
b) Its used for getting photos or documents into a computer.
c) Its used for clicking to give the computer instructions.
d) Its used for getting photos or documents on paper.
e) It shows the documents and pictures you have in the computer.
f) It analyses your instructions and does what you ask it to do.
3. Students A and B: work together to write sentences that explain what each
visual shows and what the device does. Make sure you use phrases like
Tell me please ..
Will you tell me.
Could you tell me ., please
I think that .
Im sure / certain that .
Im not sure that
Example: The first picture shows a . which / that is
used
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ACTIVITY 2: GETTING THE MESSAGE

1. Read the following statements and
a) say what they are about;
b) select what you consider the 3 most important statements.
Every pupil can learn as he likes.
Pupils can study where they like.
Pupils can talk to other people from all over the world.
Pupils can study only what they need to know.
Learners can visit towns, sites and museums without having to travel.
Pupils can get information from different sources.
2. Read the following text and
a) say how it relates to the statements in question 1;
b) match the statements in question 1 with the appropriate information in
the text and justify your answers.
Goodbye Mr. Chips, Hello Mr. Microchips.
According to a report on education, computers will soon be taking over
from schoolteachers.
Greater use of PCs in the classroom will offer pupils "exciting new ways to
personalise their learning".
Instead of going on field trips they will take virtual tours. If they've got any
questions, they will be able to access chatrooms or e-mail online teachers
who will have been "liberated from their traditional role as the fount of all knowledge".
Children will be encouraged to "adapt the programme to their individual
needs" and "learn in their own time, at their own speed and in their own environment".
Education authorities welcomed this "excellent document" which would
"improve the quality of learning" and end teacher shortages at the same time.

3. Complete the following paragraph:

There are many things that pupils now cannot do. However, if the computer takes
over from teachers they will be able to ....
.......................Theyll also be able to

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LESSON 18

4. Read the following letter and say how it relates to the previous text.
Dear Sir,
I'm all for the age of information technology and the Internet. Besides, my
own children who are now quite skilled at using a computer have actually
derived many benefits from it. But I really wish the authorities were concerned with making the pupils computer literate as much as making them literate in the traditional sense.
Some modern teenagers can surf the World Wide Web at the speed of
light. Others can reprogram a stolen mobile phone with the aid of a laptop.
However, fewer and fewer of them seem able to write a formal letter or even
their own name.
If you allow them to personalise their learning experience, they'll immediately log on to the nearest games website and fall in love with a Red Indian
in Kansas.
If you let them work at their own pace and in their own environment,
they'll end up spending all day hanging around, smoking and wasting their
time.
What modern teenagers need is discipline.
Computers may provide education but they cannot maintain discipline.
John Brown.
5. Re-read the letter and say whether the following statements are true or false.
Justify your answers with reference to the text.
a) Mr Brown disapproves of the use of computers.
b) No one in his family has ever got on line.
c) He believes that using the Net can be dangerous.
d) He suggests a better balance between literacy skills and computer skills.
6. Which of Mr Browns ideas do you agree with and which do you disagree
with?
7. Refer back to question 3 and the table below and
a) use the following hints to say what people will be able to do in the
future.
Do the shopping from home.
Work at home.
Drive their cars with the help of computers
b) follow the same pattern and provide sentences of your own.

Subject +

was / were able to

= ability in the past

am / is / are able to

= ability in the present

will be able to

= ability in the future

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