Introduction
Prayer
Energizer
Technology is all around us—from the smartphones in our hands to the robots in factories. But how has technology changed the way we live, work, and interact with one another? In this WebQuest, you will explore the impact of technology on society. You’ll investigate how technological advancements shape different aspects of our lives, from education to communication, and write an essay that examines both the positive and negative effects.
Task
You will write an essay that analyzes the impact of a specific technology on society. You can choose a type of technology (e.g., social media, artificial intelligence, smartphones, or renewable energy technologies) and research how it has changed our lives.
Your essay should:
- Describe the technology and how it works.
- Explain its effects on society, including both benefits and challenges.
- Provide examples of how this technology has affected real-world scenarios.
- Offer your own opinion on whether the technology’s impact is mostly positive or negative, backed by evidence from your research.
Process
To complete the task, follow these steps:
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Choose a specific technology: Select a type of technology that interests you (e.g., social media, smartphones, robotics, virtual reality, AI, renewable energy).
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Research: Use the provided resources to gather information about your chosen technology. Make sure to cover:
- What the technology is and how it works.
- How it is used in society (e.g., communication, education, medicine, industry).
- Both positive impacts (e.g., improved communication, medical advancements) and negative impacts (e.g., privacy issues, job loss).
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Organize your essay: Outline your essay using the following structure:
- Introduction: Introduce your chosen technology and provide an overview of its significance in society.
- Body paragraphs: Explain the positive and negative effects of the technology, using specific examples. Use at least one paragraph for benefits and one for challenges.
- Conclusion: Summarize your argument and state your opinion about the overall impact of the technology.
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Write your essay: Write a 600–800 word essay following your outline. Make sure to use evidence from your research to support your argument.
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Revise and edit: Proofread your essay for clarity, grammar, and organization. Make sure your argument is clear and backed by strong evidence.
Evaluation
Your essay will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
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Content Accuracy and Depth: Your essay should provide accurate and detailed information about the chosen technology. Essays with strong research and comprehensive explanations will score higher.
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Argument and Critical Thinking: A well-organized and clear argument is essential. You should demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing both the benefits and drawbacks of the technology and supporting your opinion with logical reasoning and evidence.
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Use of Evidence and Examples: Essays that effectively use relevant evidence from credible sources and provide specific examples to support arguments will receive higher marks.
Conclusion
Technology plays a huge role in shaping modern society, but it comes with both benefits and challenges. After completing this, reflect on the specific technology you researched. How has it impacted your life? Do you think society benefits more from this technology than it is harmed by it? Share your thoughts with your classmates and consider how technology will continue to shape our future.
Credits
- BBC Future: Technology – https://www.bbc.com/future/technology
- TechCrunch – https://techcrunch.com
- National Geographic: Technology – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/technology
- The Guardian: Technology – https://www.theguardian.com/uk/technology
Teacher Page
This WebQuest is designed for Grade 7 students and focuses on exploring the societal impacts of technology. Students will research, analyze, and write essays that encourage critical thinking and reflection on both the benefits and challenges of modern technology.