11.gif (17484 bytes)Technology is around us: our ICT worlda005_014.gif (10709 bytes)

 

 

 

 

OBJECTIVES:

* To read texts about new technologies for specific information. 

To learn vocabulary related to New Technologies.

* To revise the conditionals and the expressions of wish and regret with WISH.

* To rephrase sentences through conditionals.

*To order sentences.

* To identify and organize the different parts of an opinion essay.

* To write with a purpose: Opinion essay.

* To appreciate the importance of internet as a source of information.

*To develop a positive attitude towards writing.

* To reflect on the new technology world.

 

 

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes) WARMING UP ACTIVITY. Reflecting on new technologies.

Work in groups of four and take down notes about each one´s opinion.

Is technology good or bad for people? Why?

Do you use new technologies at school and at home?

Could you live without technology? Why?

 

 

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)BASIC VOCABULARY ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

 

ag_bounc.gif (2381 bytes) Let´s review some easy vocabulary about new technologies.

 

 

ag_bounc.gif (2381 bytes)DO YOU KNOW ALL THESE WORDS? Here are some more words related to new technologies, think about how new technologies from the column on your right would be linked to the words in the column on your left. There is more than one possibility. If you don’t know some words, look them up in the dictionary.

 

 

 

Cuadro de texto: Text messages Download Website Wireless/ Wi-fi connection Inbox Spam/Junk WAP connection Password Charge Surf Send/Forward/Reply Save information Log on/log out Sign out/Sign in Connect/Disconnect Plug in/Unplug Chat File Server Attachment   Cuadro de texto:   Cell phone   Laptop/Desktop   Internet/The Net/The Web   E-mail  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


pin2.gif (391 bytes)SPECIFIC WEB VOCABULARY. Only for those who dare!!  facegear.gif (8020 bytes)

Internet literate click here to know about more specific web vocabulary in English. If you have doubts, click here or go to www.webopedia.com (the encyclopaedia of internet terms).

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND YOU

Have a look at the following exercise about conditionals, new technologies and you. See if you remember the conditional sentences in English studied in previous years

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)GRAMMAR REVIEW

After checking in the previous exercise how much you remembered about Conditionals, below you will find a review chart. Check if you were right!!!

CONDITIONALS:

 

O CONDITIONAL:

To speak about things that normally happen or to show a logical consequence.

If you run out of credit on your cell phone, you can´t make calls.

 

1ST CONDITIONAL:

What we say will possibly happen.

You will probably spend hours in front of the screen if you connect to Internet.

 

2ND CONDITIONAL:

To speak of very unlikely or imaginary situations.

If computers and internet didn´t exist, I would go out in the street more often.

 

3RD CONDITIONAL:

To talk about things in the past that cannot be changed. It is as way of expressing regret about something.

If I hadn´t spent all my money buying a brand new laptop, I would have had money for my father´s birthday.

 
Cuadro de texto: CONDITIONALS:   ¶ O CONDITIONAL: To speak about things that normally happen or to show a logical consequence. If you run out of credit on your cell phone, you can´t make calls.   ¶ 1ST CONDITIONAL: What we say will possibly happen. You will probably spend hours in front of the screen if you connect to Internet.   ¶ 2ND CONDITIONAL: To speak of very unlikely or imaginary situations. If computers and internet didn´t exist, I would go out in the street more often.   ¶ 3RD CONDITIONAL: To talk about things in the past that cannot be changed. It is as way of expressing regret about something. If I hadn´t spent all my money buying a brand new laptop, I would have had money for my father´s birthday.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)DIALOGUE

Have a look at the next dialogue about conditionals and digital cameras. Let´s check if you already master the conditionals.

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)

 
Cuadro de texto:   WHAT IF TECHNOLOGY DIDN´T EXIST? (Hypothetical Situations).

Imagine a world without New Technologies. What would people do?

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes) REPHRASING. MASTERING THE CONDITIONALS:

Now you should be able to master the conditionals sentences in English without any problem. Let´s see!!

 

bullseye.gif (11774 bytes)CONDITIONALS: SUMMARY

Here is a chart to help you sum up the basic English conditionals.

PROBABILITY

CONDITIONAL

EXAMPLE

TIME

100%

 

zero conditional

If you run out of credit on your cell phone, you can´t make calls.

any time

50%

 

first conditional

You will probably spend hours in front of the screen if you connect to Internet.

 

future

10%

 

second conditional

If computers and internet didn´t exist, I would go out in the street more often.

 

future

0%

 

third conditional

If I hadn´t spent all my money buying a brand new laptop, I would have had money for my father´s birthday.

 

 

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)REVISING NEW TECHNOLOGIES VOCABULARY.

Visit the BBC webpage, listen to the first text on the Global Village in which Tony comments about “the language of new technology” in the 90s.

 

ag_bounc.gif (2381 bytes)After having listened to “the language of new technology”, you should be able to find the corresponding synonyms for the words you have just listened to

 

ag_bounc.gif (2381 bytes)New Technologies are Changing the English Language. Text messaging, e-mails and chats are changing the English language, as you will see. Check it out!

 

bullseye.gif (11774 bytes)REVIEWING EXPRESSIONS OF WISHES AND REGRETS à WISH

Check right now your knowledge about the expression of Wishes and Regrets with WISH.

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)ARE NEW TECHNOLOGIES REALLY USEFUL FOR OUR LIVES?

Read the following excerpt and answer the questions.

Cuadro de texto: Computers and mobiles phones are playing an increasingly valuable role in helping doctors and patients monitor conditions such as diabetes on a daily basis. And government ministers believe that new technology can also be harnessed to help elderly people live independently for longer. Nellie Hannaford, who's 93, has benefited from a small computer in her flat in Maidstone, Kent. The equipment monitors Mrs Hannaford's blood pressure and takes other medical information, before sending the readings back to her doctor. The computer has an electronic voice which issues instructions. "It gives you confidence because you know you're being tested every so often," said Mrs Hannaford. Like many people of her generation, Mrs Hannaford is keen to not be a burden to others. She cracked her hip in a fall a year ago, and has chronic high blood pressure. The computer plays a vital part in helping her stay safely in her own home - and gives peace of mind to her and her daughter, Mary. This pilot scheme has involved just a handful of people in Kent so far, but the county council is so impressed it's spending a million pounds on making the equipment more widely available. Doctors who were initially sceptical like the fact that they get a pattern of information about a patient's condition. Mrs Hannaford's GP, Dr Alison Milroy, said: "It doesn't do away with visits to the surgery completely. " But it's an additional service for people who are vulnerable - so that in between, when they wouldn't be planning to see us, we can keep an eye on them when they're in their own homes." Ministers are already investing some money in new technology that can help people's long-term care. Cash is being released to councils over the next two years, to help them develop sensor systems in elderly people's homes. It might sound like something from the Big Brother house, but in fact these sensors could detect problems such as overflowing water or someone falling to the floor. The care services minister, Liam Byrne, said the technology - called Telecare - was a key part of helping ensure dignity for older people. "It's about using new technology to give people peace of mind - so they can live in their own home, but know that help is at hand if anything goes wrong. But it's also about practical tools that, for example, automatically switch on the lights if you get up at night." And of course technology like this has the potential to reduce hospital admissions - an objective that's also important to the government. Telemedicine, it seems, is destined for a bright future. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/4555314.stm  Published: 2005/12/24 05:00:19 GMT  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


pin2.gif (391 bytes) “HOOKED ON INTERNET” A PERSONAL OPINION ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

After reading a text above about new technologies being really useful to people, here you will find someone´s opposite opinion with the sentence order completely changed.

 

ag_bounc.gif (2381 bytes)Please put the sentence pieces in the correct order. Correct the introduction and the conclusion.

 

ag_bounc.gif (2381 bytes)Now once you have read the introduction and its conclusion, try to order the paragraphs of the opinion essay.

 

OPINION ESSAY

PHRASES to express a personal opinion

In my view/opinion…

As far as I am concerned. . .

From my point of view

                                                                        

CONNECTORS

Additions: Not only…but also, moreover, besides, what is more, in addition, furthermore

Contrast: although, in spite of the fact, however, nevertheless, still, yet, on the contrary.
Llamada ovalada: OPINION ESSAY PHRASES to express a personal opinion In my view/opinion… As far as I am concerned. . . From my point of view                                                                          CONNECTORS Additions: Not only…but also, moreover, besides, what is more, in addition, furthermore Contrast: although, in spite of the fact, however, nevertheless, still, yet, on the contrary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


pin2.gif (391 bytes)LEARNING TO CORRECT

A friend of yours asks you to have a look at the Opinion Essay about New Technologies he has just written for the English class. Correct the mistakes.

 

 

pin2.gif (391 bytes)PRODUCTION

After having read a few opinion essays on New Technologies, write a similar one giving your opinion in favour or against them. Take into account the following questions as guidance Are New Technologies useful?, How do they help you in your daily life?, Where are new technologies used?, Could you live without computers, internet, mobile phones?

F REMEMBER!!

1st stage: Make a list of ideas you want to use

2nd stage: Form full sentences

3rd stage: Join sentences with connectors

4th stage: Divide what you have written into paragraphs (1 paragraph, 1 idea): Introduction, Development, Conclusion.

5th stage: Revise tenses, spelling, etc

6th stage: Hand the essay to the teacher.

7th stage: The teacher points out mistakes, without correcting them.

8th stage: Correct the mistakes and hand again the essay to the teacher