Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on technology and media.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

For centuries, printed books were the primary source of knowledge. Now, digital technology offers us e-books, which are portable and easily accessible. Some readers argue that e-books are more convenient and environmentally friendly. Others claim that physical books provide a better, more focused reading experience. Which format do you believe is more beneficial for students' academic learning? Why?

Student response 1:

I believe e-books are better for students because they are much more convenient. You can carry an entire library on one device, and features like text search make studying more efficient. For example, finding a specific quote for an essay is much faster than flipping through pages in a physical book.

Student response 2:

I prefer physical books, even though e-books have their advantages. Reading on a screen can be distracting with notifications and potential eye strain. Moreover, I feel that I retain information better from printed text because the physical act of turning pages helps me remember the content.