To want extent does the internet (the development) affect the need for schools (the status quo)

? INTRO : The age of the internet has changed our lives in many significant ways, from the way we do business to the way we champion our political views. Some may even boldly suggest that schools could be on the road to redundancy since the internet does seem to perform a main function of schools, which is to facilitate learning. However, I think we still need schools. This is mainly because technology like the internet alone does not ensure quality education or that education reaches the masses. The internet is also far less accountable to students and parents compared to formal institutions. Besides, schools still have other functions for the society or the country, and thus, cannot simply be done away with. Body Para. 1 Arguments / Development First and foremost, the Internet has been lauded for facilitating learning, so much so that it appears to displace schools in some ways ... ... So many web tools including videos, simulations, sound, play and replay, online tests, video conferencing ... ... Massive wealth of information, beyond what textbooks offer, topical lessons and interactive tests online for self-paced study ... ... even schools have e-learning activities However, the Internet cannot truly replace schools for learning ... ... Schools have professionally selected material / curriculum, and the Internet is just a platform to be used by schools Information may be unreliable ... ... Teachers in schools are still needed to teach and model evaluative skills for students to emulate ... ... practical sessions in labs are better than just watching simulations ... ... going for trips, work attachments and voluntary work organised by schools is more experiential that reading or watching about them on the internet ... ...Schools remove the distractions such as online games, irrelevant websites, chatting, while substituting passive, sedentary web surfing to more physical activity or sports The Internet appears to be an avenue for people to nurture the right social skills for the Internet age Some illustrations TeacherTube educators version of Youtube; a video portal for people to upload teaching resources such as demonstrations of experiments Websites that specialise in subjects : www.history.com, aaamath.com, nationmaster.com (a geography site that allows learners to even select countries to compare statistics) In 2006, Victoria became the first Australian state to put thinking as a core subject on the curriculum from Level 1 to Level 6. Many schools and universities around Australia have done the same Outward Bound School niche school for hands-on adventure & leadership skills, with centres worldwide Sg schools collaborate with larger organisations like the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) for overseas CIP to Cambodia or Indonesia

HeadsUp (UK) moderated online forum for under-18s to debate political issues

... ... It is a life skill to be able to communicate online, and with people from other parts of the world ... ... Learn by reading online forums, then by slowly taking part However, communicating online can be dangerous ... ... a school can actually help a person prepare for such real-world communication Online : possibility of being 'flamed', lied to by imposters, getting caught in petty arguments on forums, being exposed to profanity ... ... Political incorrectness is often seen as de rigeur when online Online relationships can be shallow unless there is off-line communication. But taking a relationship beyond cyberspace and into reallife can be a genuine threat, especially the young. Schools provide a safer environment for young people to socialise ... ... teachers even explicitly teach the young what to say and do to build healthy relationships Next, the Internet has the potential to promote values ... ... Religious, pro-democracy websites, blogs ... ... The overriding faith in the Internet stems from the democratic belief that the good will triumph over the bad since more people are likely to find that what is good makes better sense anyway But if everyone gets airtime in cyberspace, then conflicting views all seem strongly supported ... ... cyberspace is not the ideal place to learn and nurture values, but instead it is a place that a person goes to when he is equipped with a strong enough moral compass This is where schools come in to nurture constructive values. School programmes are developed and improved upon with the concerted input of the stakeholders. Their collective values matter. The success of government schools in democratic countries can also become a trump card during elections, so schools in such

Reach.sg (Sg) for all ages, but users must be registered to discuss concerns that affect the country Many online forums like Sgforums.com, have too many topics, including on topics like sex and dating Stomp.sg informal discussion, language become cruder, rudeness and loss of logic or/and objectivity can be seen in many posts

Institute of Mental Health provides pamphlets to schools to teach students how to respond in tough situations such as bullying

Sg schools have Civics and Moral Education lessons; primary schools have systematic ways of rewarding good behaviour

Schools with religious backing (convents, mission schools, madrasahs etc) aim to nurture students who do not divorce the spiritual from the practical, and encourage prayer in all endeavours

settings are likely to teach values that can be accepted by the majority.

Sex education in Singapore taught with a conservative slant, despite recognising modern liberalist views

Concluding Insights Schools can be an important equalizer in society. The internet is advantageous only for those with the means to access it, and so it might actually create a wider gulf between social classes. Schools, on the other hand, have the potential to give more people the helping hand they need to escape poverty and achieve more. Schools that harness the internet would offer so much more to the students under their care.