i assigned my first paper of the year this year to my freshmen. and i am shocked. i read some of them today. several of them, i don't think you can acutally call an essay.
the instructions: imagine the world with one of today's modern conveniences (ie. phone, computer, cars, etc). write a five paragraph essay describing what and how the world would be different. this should include an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
while the papers were pretty rough overall (expected), some of them were decent format and writing wise. but what truly surprised me was the lack of imagination and the lack of awareness of what goes on around them.
nearly all the students chose to write about a world with no phones. they all wrote about how boring life would be without a phone and that they wouldn't be able to have friends, take pictures, listen to music, or even get directions without a cell phone.
i reminded them that music can be played on the radio and that we have cameras and about maps.
and thus a new revelation for me. how much do i depend on my cell phone for entertainment? it's a bit ridiculous. i check my phone while i'm eating dinner, while maelle takes a bath, while watching tv, etc.
i think it might be time to implement a little electronic limit in the Frasier household. we started doing techless tuesdays over the summer, but in the last couple weeks have begun ignoring the techless rule.
but i think it's time to re-instate it!
join me for techless tuesday! link up with me and let me know what you did on your techless tuesday.