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 campus sustainability.

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:

Many universities are trying to reduce their environmental impact by encouraging the use of digital textbooks and online course materials instead of printed books. While this approach saves a lot of paper, some students argue that they learn better from physical books. Which option do you think universities should prioritize? Why?

Student response 1:

Universities should definitely prioritize digital resources. The environmental benefits of reducing paper consumption are significant, and digital books are often cheaper and more convenient for students to carry around on a single device. Furthermore, they can be easily updated and can include interactive features that printed books cannot offer.

Student response 2:

Even though digital books are good for the environment, I believe universities should not move away from physical textbooks. Many students, including myself, find it easier to focus and retain information when reading from a printed page. For instance, you can highlight and write notes without the distraction of notifications.