While on jury duty, I got a call to work the next day. (Actually, I got a call to work on the day I had to report as well. Sigh.) Once we were dismissed, I made sure to accept the gig.
English class. They were working on essays on social media. They were to argue a position. They were assigned "good" or "bad".
Funnily enough, those that were assigned "good" were not happy. They said "bad" was the easier argument. Considering how much time these kids spend on their phones, I would think they would want to argue that social media is good.
Most worked diligently on their essays. (It helped that it was a buyout day. I needed to see essays before I would sign.) I had a chance to read a couple. (I offer to proofread.) They were pretty well done.
Some days are really kind of easy. Even at the continuation high school.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
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How neat that the students felt that social media was bad. I know it can be addicting, at the same time it is also a good way to get a message out quick to people. So it does have its ups and downs :)
ReplyDeletebetty
For them to recognize the danger and potential evil of social media is amazing! I'd love to see some of those essays myself.
ReplyDeleteI only saw a couple, and those hit the usual points.
DeleteThis sounds like a good day and one where the kids could relate to. It is nice to find they saw much negative in social media. To me, they are more aware of what can happen
ReplyDeleteI bet they wanted to pick bad because it would be so much easier to find sources that back up that point rather than them actually thinking social media is bad. That's what I'd do, anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe system of 'buyout days' is new to me. No wonder students worked hard. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe topic of the essay sounds excellent.
It's not a widespread system. In fact, it may only be something this particular school does. It's an incentive to get them to attend every day and work.
DeleteYes, like you, I thought the 'good' position is a better argument for kids who spend so much time on social media. Goes to show you that from a young age, we're addicted to bad things and we know they're bad.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's so true.
DeleteIt's good to hear they acknowledged it's bad. It's like my kids writing about why they should only sell healthy food at the canteen when I know they love their junk food.
ReplyDeleteWhen I talk to them about things, they tend to know that stuff is bad for them. But they love it anyway.
DeleteI wonder if they wrote the “bad” essays as it personally related to themselves.
ReplyDeleteOr did they write it from an “in general” perspective? In other words, I am curious to hear how SM affects each of them on a personal level, particularly if they chose to write the “bad” argument.