Writing prompts

Directions: Type your responses to the items below.

1		Why do you think people have come to rely so heavily on computers?
2		Do you think people would like to rely on computers even more than they do at present? Why do you think that?
3		Based on the information in the selection, give two additional examples of decisions that the authors would agree should not be left to computers. Think up examples that are different from the ones given in the passage.

To the Web

Consult one or more of the following websites that pertain to the topic of the reading selection. Then answer the questions based on information obtained from the websites.

http://www.teenink.com/Past/1997/8906.html

"Computers Taking Over the World?" is the title of this opinion piece that is posted at Teen Ink, a nonfiction website for teens.

4		Who does this author identify as the ones who believe that computers are taking over?
5		What is the author's opinion as to whether computers are taking over?

http://www.oqe.org/doc/18.html

What role computers should play in education? This website, which is sponsored by the Organization for Quality Education in Ontario, Canada, presents one point of view.

6		Tell what this organization's view is regarding the appropriate use of computers in Ontario public high schools.
7		Explain why you agree or disagree with the organization's view.

http://www.physics.hku.hk/links/int_article/computers.html

The piece on this website was written by a professor who teaches physics in England. Because the author is British, he uses certain British spellings and words (such as pounds, which refers to their unit of currency, theatres, aeroplanes, and queues, which means lines that people stand in). Read what the author has to say about the effect of computers on higher education.

8		What are the main purposes that you, as a college student, use the computer?
9		Do you agree with the author's assessment of the effect of computers? Explain why or why not.
10		Explain why it is ironic that the author has posted his opinion on the Internet.