Round 1: Qualifying Round
1. Smartphones make us stupid - Agree or Disagree?
- Dependency on Technology: People rely on smartphones for simple tasks like calculations, directions, or remembering dates, reducing cognitive effort and problem-solving skills.
- Example:* Navigation apps like Google Maps replace our ability to remember routes or use physical maps.
- Reduced Attention Spans: Excessive smartphone use, especially social media, promotes instant gratification and shortens attention spans.
- Example:* Studies show average screen times have risen, with many struggling to focus on tasks for extended periods.
- Mental Health Impacts: Constant smartphone use is linked to stress, anxiety, and poor sleep due to overexposure to blue light and social media.
- Access to Knowledge: Smartphones act as gateways to vast libraries of information, enabling learning anytime, anywhere.
- Example:* Apps like Khan Academy and Duolingo help people acquire new skills efficiently.
- Improved Communication and Connectivity: They bridge gaps between people across the world, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Productivity and Convenience: Smartphones streamline daily life through features like calendars, reminders, and productivity apps.
- Example:* Professionals manage projects on platforms like Slack or Trello via smartphones.
2. What is better for learning: teachers or the internet?
- Personalized Guidance: Teachers can adapt their methods based on the unique needs and learning styles of each student.
- Example:* A teacher might provide extra help for struggling students, which an algorithm cannot replicate.
- Character Development: Teachers act as mentors, instilling values, discipline, and social skills in students.