SHOCKING NEWS FOR OVERSEAS FAMILY SCHOOL STUDENTS Revmira Bussu, Reporter Mon 20 Jan, 2014 SINGAPORE - The International Overseas Family School, a school recognized for being the biggest MYP School worldwide, issued a statement outlining its new plans to extinguish the traditional face-to-face classroom teaching by becoming the first IB World School to deliver its entire curriculum relying on technology by giving online teaching by 2015. The face-to-face method is the most common around the world, and until now has been very effective.
The face-to-face teaching method has been used by humanity even before there was a systematic access to education; it has grown into being a major part of the world’s cultures and traditions. Ms. Joana Lane, passionate English teacher commented on the unexpected changes, which would also cause her losing her job, by saying “until this day teachers thrive to inspire each and every student by actively teach things, and no machine can ever replace that”. The decision came unexpected, as the second term had just started, thus students who did not agree with this change had no chance to change schools. The true reason behind this rough change was explained by Mr. Daniel Larousse, head of the administration department, who said “With the fast change in our environment it is clear that our students are not exposed to enough technology to be able to stand on their own two feet when they leave school, thus we plan on helping them with this reform”. When interviewed on this issue, the psychology expert Dr. Rupert Sabo answered that having a teacher in front of the students is crucial, since students look up to teachers and see them as their role models. He further added that technology had already been the reason of many social issues, such as the increasing lack of social interaction between children, thus the online school would only support this rising issue and make it worse. Engaged OFS students Katya Pearson demands a better explanation from the school subject area leaders and administration who are responsible for the change, further accusing them of simply using the new technology to own the title of being the first school to have a online curriculum and not for the well being of their students. Her peers also question the reliability of this change and if it is going to work, one of them is Marshall Bush who expressed is disappointment by saying “Who has the power to decide over hundreds of youngsters and how they should be taught? It
should be no one but ourselves. However once more the greed for being the most "advanced" in this modern race for technology, the student’s fate is put in someone else's hands.�
Rationale: In the first paragraph of the article I outlined a general view of the topic and simply stating the facts of the event, including words enhancing my point of view. The picture that I chose shows how well the face-to-face method works, so that I can show what the school will be missing out if or when they change their method. I also recall upon th history of education of our world and how it is crucial to have a teacher in front of us since it is a tradition. This fits to my profile because Communism is about preserving the traditions and rather moving away from technology. I also added the fact that this would create a further split between the social interactions of the students, which would cause a less effective working environment in the future. Secondly I criticize technology through a quote and I question its effectiveness, which again falls into the Communist pattern where people are supported to work hard with their own hands, which would mean not to rely on technology. Thirdly I touch upon the fact that the students are the victims and that the people in higher positions play around their fate, which is good since in my profile I am a student too whishing to empower the weak. I used selection of sources because I used a source that speaks only in my favor as well as being very influential people, such as experts or head of a compartment. I also used omission because I completely left out anything in favor of this new technology.