PART 2

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION: PROS AND CONS

A. Technology has transformed the way we live, work, communicate and play. It is also transforming the way we educate our children. In the past, schools were designed to teach children the skills they would need for a future that would be very similar to the present. However, now that technology is changing so rapidly, it is hard to predict what those skills will be. What we do know is that our students will need to be able to think creatively to find solutions to problems we can’t even imagine yet. In order to prepare them for this uncertain future, our schools are increasingly turning to technology in the classroom. But is this a good thing?

B. The benefits of using technology in the classroom are many. For example, technology allows students to personalise their learning. They can work at their own pace, go back to lessons they missed or didn’t understand the first time, and get extra practice if they need it. Technology also gives students access to a wide range of information and resources. They can use the Internet to research topics, watch videos, and read books and articles. This can help them to learn more about a subject and develop their understanding of it. Another benefit of technology is that it can help students to develop important skills. For example, using computers and other digital devices can help students to improve their typing and computer skills. These are skills that will be useful to them in their future studies and careers.

C. There are also some potential drawbacks to using technology in the classroom. One concern is that students may become too reliant on technology. If they are used to having everything they need at their fingertips, they may not be able to think for themselves or solve problems independently. Another concern is that students may be distracted by technology. If they are allowed to use their devices in class, they may be tempted to check social media or play games instead of paying attention to the lesson. There is also the risk that students may be exposed to inappropriate content online. If they are not supervised, they may come across material that is not suitable for their age group.

D. There are also concerns about the impact of technology on students’ health and well-being. Some studies have shown that too much screen time can lead to problems such as eye strain, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. There is also the risk that students may become isolated from their peers if they spend too much time on their devices. They may miss out on important social interactions and opportunities to develop their communication skills. In addition, there is the question of whether technology is actually improving students’ learning. Some studies have shown that students who use technology in the classroom do not perform any better than those who do not. In fact, in some cases, they may even do worse. This may be because they are not using the technology effectively, or because they are not being taught how to use it properly.

E. Despite these concerns, many schools are embracing technology and are finding ways to overcome the challenges it presents. One way they are doing this is by using technology to support traditional teaching methods, rather than replacing them. For example, teachers can use interactive whiteboards to display information and engage students in lessons. They can also use online resources to supplement their teaching and provide students with additional practice. Another way schools are overcoming the challenges of technology is by setting clear guidelines for its use. For example, they may have rules about when and how devices can be used in the classroom. They may also have policies in place to protect students from inappropriate content online.

F. In order to maximise the benefits of technology in the classroom, it is important for teachers to have the right skills and knowledge. They need to be able to use technology effectively and to integrate it into their teaching in a way that enhances students’ learning. This means that teachers need to have access to training and professional development opportunities. They also need to be supported by their schools and given the resources they need to use technology effectively. In addition, schools need to have the right infrastructure in place to support the use of technology. This includes having reliable Internet access and the right hardware and software.

G. In conclusion, technology has the potential to transform education and to improve students’ learning. However, it is important to recognise that it is not a magic solution to all of the challenges facing education today. In order to make the most of technology in the classroom, it is important to use it effectively and to integrate it into teaching in a way that supports students’ learning. This means that teachers need to have the right skills and knowledge, and schools need to have the right infrastructure and support in place.

Questions 14-20

Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs, A-G.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 14-20 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once

14.ABCDEFG . examples of how technology can be used to help students learn

15.ABCDEFG . the need for teachers to be able to use technology effectively

16.ABCDEFG . the need for schools to have the right equipment

17.ABCDEFG . the possibility of students not being able to think independently

18.ABCDEFG . the possibility of students becoming less sociable

19.ABCDEFG . the possibility of students coming across unsuitable material online

20.ABCDEFG . the possibility of students not being able to sleep well

Questions 21-23

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 21-23 on your answer sheet.

21. According to the writer, schools in the past

A

• were not very different from schools today.

B

• focused on teaching skills for the future.

C

• prepared students for their future lives.

D

• taught students how to predict the future.

22. According to the writer, technology allows students to

A

• work in a way that suits them.

B

• learn more quickly than in the past.

C

• develop better social skills.

D

• learn to make better use of their time.

23. According to the writer, some students may do worse than others if

A

• they use technology too much.

B

• they are not taught how to use technology.

C

• they do not have access to technology.

D

• they do not use technology properly.

Questions 24-26

Complete the summary below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 24-26 on your answer sheet.

OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY

Schools are finding ways to overcome the challenges of technology. For example, they are using technology to 24______________ rather than replace traditional teaching methods. They are also setting guidelines for the use of technology in the classroom and putting 25______________ in place to protect students from inappropriate content. In order to use technology effectively, teachers need to have access to training and 26______________. They also need to be supported by their schools and given the resources they need to use technology effectively.