IntroductionTechnology is advancing fast. Nowadays, there are many educational electronic resources, games, and programs. Therefore, more schools are adopting computers, tablets, and other electronic devices in the classroom. One of the most popular electronic tools is the tablet. A tablet is a handheld electronic device that functions like a mini computer. Students and teachers can easily download e-books on tablets. Today, our debaters will discuss whether tablets should replace textbooks in the classroom.
Henry (Constructive)Tablets should replace textbooks in the classroom. Textbooks are expensive and heavy. It is costly to print them. It is also expensive for students to buy textbooks. Besides, printing books also has a negative effect on our environment. Tablets are much better for a number of reasons. First, students can download countless e-books and store them in their digital libraries. Also, tablets give students and teachers access to many other electronic resources, such as games, programs, or the Internet.
Ashley (Constructive)Tablets should not replace textbooks in the classroom. Schools have used textbooks for hundreds of years. Teachers and students are already accustomed to using books in class. Why should we change something that already works well? Students are able to easily highlight and write notes in their textbooks. Furthermore, tablets can break. Students could spill water on or drop the tablets. Finally, students might use the tablets to play games, surf the web, or look at social media during class.
Henry (Rebuttal)There is always room for improvement! That is why we should take advantage of technological advances. Did you know that users can highlight and write notes in e-books, too? It is also possible to delete all highlights and notes so that future students can use the e-book as if it were new. It is true that tablets can break, but textbooks can also get worn and damaged. Finally, there are ways that teachers can block students from accessing games and social media sites.
Ashley (Rebuttal)Tablets are very expensive! Additionally, the production of these devices also does damage to the environment. The battery life needed to power a tablet is another problem. It may be difficult to charge the tablets especially because the battery tends to run out quickly. Finally, e-books can be helpful, but they cannot replace textbooks. For me, there is nothing like holding an actual book in your hands. It is not the same to read a book on an electronic device.
Judge’s Comments
The winner of today’s debate is Henry. Ashley committed two logical fallacies. She committed the appeal to tradition when she claimed that we should continue using textbooks because it has been that way for hundreds of years. She also committed an anecdotal fallacy. Debaters commit this fallacy when they use a personal experience or an opinion rather than sound evidence. She argued that, for her, it is not the same to read a book on an electronic device as it is a textbook.