Describe something electronic that you often use

You should say:
     What it is
     Where/ when you bought it
     What you use it for

How your life would be harder without it.

I guess we live in an era of high tech gadgets where everything is getting smaller and more portable. For me, I guess my laptop computer is the electronic item that I use the most. It’s pretty essential really for both my work and study, since I usually carry it around everywhere.

I bought it about a year ago at an electronics market in the centre of the city. I had been window shopping for a while and always seemed to find myself gazing at the latest computer models. I suppose that what really attracted me the most was the fact that the keyboard and screen were just the right size for me and it was quite lightweight.

As I said, it’s useful for me in a lot of ways. I can meet my friends and colleagues online using instant messaging services like MSN and Yahoo messenger. I can also send reports to my boss. I can also watch movies too which is a good way for me to unwind and forget about stressful days at work.

Perhaps the best thing is being able to set-up my computer anywhere, whether it be in a coffee shop, at home or in work. I like to change location and get out of the office. It gives me a bit of fresh perspective sometimes if I change my surroundings. To be honest otherwise I’d feel stuck in one place and I’d get bored, so I love my laptop!

Part 3 Discussion Questions

 

Have technological gadgets made our lives easier or have they made us more materialistic?

Well I suppose both really. They have certainly made our lives easier. We don’t have to carry around large cameras anymore for example because now they are so small and portable.

I’ve noticed people do tend to always think of the latest model of gadget they are going to buy next and they have also become status symbols in some ways, so yes maybe they have also made us more materialistic.

 

What electronic items are the most essential in our daily lives?

I guess you could say computers, especially laptops, have become essential in our daily lives. We use computers, both professionally and for leisure. Whether it’s for creating spreadsheets or watching movies computers really are essential.

 

What items have become commonplace nowadays that didn’t exist twenty years ago?

Well, again I think that laptops are getting so small these days and that of course is a huge difference from twenty years ago where even having a desktop computer wasn’t really commonplace. Also, more and more people have touch-screen phones nowadays too and they are like small computers as well.

 

How has modern technology and equipment changed the way we learn?

In my view, I think that the internet is such a great resource for finding information on pretty much anything. I think that has made the biggest difference really.

Also, I think that studying online has become more and more popular and the technology now exists to have a virtual classroom where students can communicate with their teacher in a similar way to in a real classroom. I think we will continue to see this grow in popularity.