By: Andrew Hough
Published: The Daily Telegraph; 8 April 2013;
Level of Difficulty: *
Note to the Student: This task should be
covered in conjunction with “Twitter and Facebook Addicts Suffer Withdrawal
Symptoms” and “Toddlers becoming so Addicted to iPads They Require Therapy”.
The writing tasks involve all three so don’t attempt them until you are ready.
BEFORE YOU READ
·
Read
the title of the text. Do you believe this kind of addiction is possible?
Explain.
·
What
are the symptoms of addiction?
·
Would
you describe yourself as an addict?
·
Do
you know any addicts?
NOW WATCH THE VIDEOS
NOW WATCH THE VIDEOS
·
“Technology addiction among teenagers” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0OSZkFhrVo
“Very funny cartoon animation about smartphone
addiction” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mwpmjf6cwE
QUESTIONS
1.
What
proof do we have that college students are addicted to technology?
2.
What
symptoms did the students in the study who didn’t use their gadgets experience?
3.
What
does “These” in the phrase “These included emotions such as …” refer to?
4.
Which
of their reactions to lack of technology came as a surprise to the students?
5.
Why
did the students in the study experience all these reactions?
6.
In
the study at Bournemouth University, what were the students allowed?
7.
What
hypothesis did the study confirm?
8.
What
positive outcome was noted?
THE FIRST WRITING TASK
After you
have also completed the two other related writing tasks, write a combined
summary of all three in no more than 100 words. You will find a 97 word example under Sample Essays.
THE SECOND WRITING TASK
Write a paragraph
describing the disadvantages of excessive use of social networking sites. Remember:
you will need to complete all three reading tasks first. You will find an example under Sample
Essays.
STUDENTS ‘ADDICTION’ TO TECHNOLOGY ‘SIMILAR TO
DRUG CRAVINGS’ STUDY FINDS KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
It is really wonderful to find three texts on a
topical issue which have a wow factor and also lead to a combined – three text
summary. Don’t let the summary scare you; it is very straightforward I assure
you. I would suggest putting a few notes on the board or the screen, repeating
the process for the other two texts and then crossing out repetitions – of
which there are plenty. What is left will be very easy to summarize in a 100
words. The longer writing task should follow the summary; it isn’t an either or
proposition; they both need to be done I feel. Examples are available under
Sample Essays.
1.
Nearly
four in five students had significant mental and physical distress, panic,
confusion and extreme isolation when forced to unplug from technology for a
whole day.
2.
Cravings,
anxiety attacks, depression
3.
The
words the students used to describe their emotions
4.
The
psychological effects ( is enough; you don’t need the rest)
5.
Because
they have spent their whole lives plugged in
6.
Landline
telephones and books
7.
That
students were addicted to modern technology
8.
The
students got into more in-depth conversations; OR, a difference in conversation
in terms of quality and depth
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