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TEACHER’S EDITION
Georgia Milestones, Grade 7 Exemplar Paper
Technology and Creativity
This is a high-scoring student response; some errors may be present.
WRITING TASK: Weigh the claims on both sides, and then write an argumentative essay in which you argue
whether technology positively or negatively affects creativity and why.
Discussion Questions
Paragraph
Numbers
1
2
3
Eighty-six percent loss. Loss of what? Creativity. Children given Land’s
creativity test in 1968 scored 98% in creativity. Yet, just ten years later, those
same children earned an average score of 12%. That is a loss of 86%
creativity. How can someone lose the ability to be creative? Aren’t we
naturally unique problem solvers? Yet, according to the articles in the
passage set, “Technology and Creativity,” creativity is in danger of being lost
and technology is the reason. So, how exactly does technology negatively
affect our natural ability to be creative?
Interestingly, George Land’s test showed that “non-creativity is learned” as
we get older, according to Passage 1. Experts believe that the drop in
technology that Land observed is due in part to technology. There has been
an “influx of technology ranging from computers to cell phones” when all
have programs designed to hold the attention of young users. If you aren’t
sure whether or not young kids are using technology, just go out to eat. Take
a look around the restaurant. You will most certainly see many families with
children whose noses are pointed at some device. While games like Candy
Crush or Color Me may keep young kids entertained and quiet, they don’t
necessarily help to develop creativity. In fact, many programs for young
children have pre-programmed steps that don’t allow for user creativity
(Passage 1). While there are some programs out there that encourage
creativity, like the Minecraft program mentioned in both Passage 1 and 2,
most kids simply consume content when interacting with technology. They
aren’t actively interacting with technology. They are just zoning out by
zoning in on technology. And, as researchers found, this use of technology is
teaching children to be non-creative.
Technology not only teaches kids to be non-creative, but it also has a huge
impact on another element required to be creative—time. Creativity requires
time: time to problem solve, time to put together new ideas, and time to
build. Additionally, technology severely limits time spent on creative activities
because it is so easy to lose track of time when using devices like your phone
or tablet. According to Passage 2, teens are notorious for lacking purpose
when online. Instead, teens often use technology as a boredom-filler.
Technology “fills the space boredom produces,” and teens fill the time that
they could be spending creating something unique with activities like playing
online games, listening to music, or watching videos (Passage 2). Instead of
1
1. Underline the
hook and claim
in the
introduction.
2. In paragraphs 2,
3, and 4,
underline where
the writer states
the reasons that
support the
claim.
3. How does the
writer use
evidence to
support the
reason in
paragraph 3?
4. Highlight an
example of
elaboration.
How does the
writer use
elaboration to
further explain
evidence?
© Copyright by Write Score LLC
spending hours every day engaging with technology, children need to spend
more time offline. They need, according to expert Jane M. Healy who is
quoted in Passage 1, time to “explore creatively the recesses of their own
minds” through playtime, time alone, time playing games of their own
creation and time in nature. As mentioned in Passage 2, even Steve Jobs,
who was once the CEO of Apple, took time away from technology. He
credited the Macintosh’s beautiful typography with a calligraphy class that he
took. The class wasn’t designed to make him think creatively, but by taking
the time away from technology to focus on something completely unrelated,
he was able to bank that knew knowledge until he needed it years later. This
example reinforces the understanding that until we can guarantee that time
with and without technology will be carefully balanced, the likelihood is that
creativity will suffer.
4
Creativity requires concentration and focus. The use of technology can
impact concentration and focus. In fact, according to Passage 1, technology
is filled with content designed to distract users. Just think back to your last
online search. Did you search once and done, or did you find yourself down
a rabbit hole moving from site to site soon forgetting your original purpose?
Children and teens can find it difficult to ignore distractors and as a result
often find themselves distracted from their original task. The author of
Passage 2 agrees and further explains by quoting Brian Solis, digital analyst
and anthropologist, who said “’once we are distracted, any possibility for
creativity is lost.’” Some opponents suggest that technology is not to blame
for this loss of concentration and focus and that technology can actually be a
tool for developing creativity in children (Passage 1). These people suggest
that children use e-readers or tablets to find information they need and learn
about new topics. However, the author of Passage 1 reminds readers that it
can be difficult for students to “sort through those distractions in order to
access the necessary information they need to fulfill their purpose.”
Therefore, it is clear that technology does not increase the concentration and
focus needed to be creative.
5
No one is suggesting that children and teens should be absolutely banned
from using technology. We are dependent upon technology and using it is a
necessary skill. However, when considering the conditions necessary to be
creative, we should be cautious. Technology negatively affects the
concentration, focus, and time needed to be creative. Technology teaches
non-creativity. If today’s children and teens are not careful, technology may
steal their brain’s ability to think in unique and different ways.
2
5. Double
underline any
counterclaims.
6. Draw a box
around any
transitional
words and/or
phrases.
7. How does the
writer tie the
conclusion back
to the
introduction?
© Copyright by Write Score LLC
TEACHER’S NOTES
1.
The writer’s hook uses a startling fact to introduce the topic of the negative impact of
technology on creativity. The writer states the claim with a final question in the paragraph, “ So,
how exactly does technology negatively affect our natural ability to be creative?”
2.
See the underlined reasons in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4. In paragraph 2, the reason is stated in
the final sentence.
 Technology teaches non-creativity
 Technology impacts time needed to be creative
 Technology affects focus and concentration
3.
The writer paraphrases information from each article to discuss how technology negatively
impacts time to be creative.
 Teens lack purpose and use technology as a boredom-filler (Passage 2)
 Kids need time for playtime, time alone, playing games… (Passage 1)
The writer also integrates quoted information and paraphrasing from the articles to discuss
how technology negatively impacts time.
 “fills the space boredom produces” (Passage 2)
 “explore creatively the…own minds” (Passage 1)
4.
See the highlighted sentences in paragraph 2 and 4. In paragraph 2, the writer uses a mini
story to introduce the idea of young children using technology at a restaurant. In paragraph 4,
the writer suggests that the reader consider their own use of online searches and rabbit holes.
See the double underlined sentences in paragraphs 2 and 4. The writer offers the counterclaim
that programs such as Minecraft encourage creativity and that tablets and e-readers can be
used as part of creative endeavors.
See the boxed transitional words and/or phrases that the writer uses to help ideas and
paragraphs flow throughout the essay.
5.
6
7.
The writer restates the claim and the supporting reasons. The writer also reminds the reader
that technology may “steal their brain’s ability to think in unique and different ways” which
revisits the introduction (unique problem solvers).
3
© Copyright by Write Score LLC
STUDENT’S EDITION
Georgia Milestones, Grade 7 Exemplar Paper
Technology and Creativity
This is a high-scoring student response; some errors may be present.
WRITING TASK: Weigh the claims on both sides, and then write an argumentative essay in which you argue
whether technology positively or negatively affects creativity and why.
Paragraph
Numbers
Discussion Questions
Eighty-six percent loss. Loss of what? Creativity. Children given Land’s
1
Hook creativity test in 1968 scored 98% in creativity. Yet, just ten years later, those
same children earned an average score of 12%. That is a loss of 86%
creativity. How can someone lose the ability to be creative? Aren’t we
naturally unique problem solvers? Yet, according to the articles in the
passage set, “Technology and Creativity,” creativity is in danger of being lost
and technology is the reason. So, how exactly does technology negatively
claim affect our natural ability to be creative?
2
Elaborati
on
Counter
claim
3
reason
Interestingly, George Land’s test showed that “non-creativity is learned” as
we get older, according to Passage 1. Experts believe that the drop in
technology that Land observed is due in part to technology. There has been
an “influx of technology ranging from computers to cell phones” when all
have programs designed to hold the attention of young users. If you aren’t
sure whether or not young kids are using technology, just go out to eat. Take
a look around the restaurant. You will most certainly see many families with
children whose noses are pointed at some device. While games like Candy
Crush or Color Me may keep young kids entertained and quiet, they don’t
necessarily help to develop creativity. In fact, many programs for young
children have pre-programmed steps that don’t allow for user creativity
(Passage 1). While there are some programs out there that encourage
creativity, like the Minecraft program mentioned in both Passage 1 and 2,
most kids simply consume content when interacting with technology. They
aren’t actively interacting with technology. They are just zoning out by
zoning in on technology. And, as researchers found, this use of technology is
teaching children to be non-creative. (Reason)
Technology not only teaches kids to be non-creative, but it also has a huge
impact on another element required to be creative—time. Creativity requires
time: time to problem solve, time to put together new ideas, and time to
build. Additionally, technology severely limits time spent on creative activities
because it is so easy to lose track of time when using devices like your phone
or tablet. According to Passage 2, teens are notorious for lacking purpose
when online. Instead, teens often use technology as a boredom-filler.
Technology “fills the space boredom produces,” and teens fill the time that
they could be spending creating something unique with activities like playing
online games, listening to music, or watching videos (Passage 2). Instead of
1
1. Underline the
hook and claim
in the
introduction.
2. In paragraphs 2,
3, and 4,
underline where
the writer states
the reasons that
support the
claim.
3. How does the
writer use
evidence to
support the
reason in
paragraph 3?
4. Highlight an
example of
elaboration.
How does the
writer use
elaboration to
further explain
evidence?
© Copyright by Write Score LLC
spending hours every day engaging with technology, children need to spend
more time offline. They need, according to expert Jane M. Healy who is
quoted in Passage 1, time to “explore creatively the recesses of their own
minds” through playtime, time alone, time playing games of their own
creation and time in nature. As mentioned in Passage 2, even Steve Jobs,
who was once the CEO of Apple, took time away from technology. He
credited the Macintosh’s beautiful typography with a calligraphy class that he
took. The class wasn’t designed to make him think creatively, but by taking
the time away from technology to focus on something completely unrelated,
he was able to bank that knew knowledge until he needed it years later. This
example reinforces the understanding that until we can guarantee that time
with and without technology will be carefully balanced, the likelihood is that
creativity will suffer.
4
Reaso
n
Count
er
claim
5
Creativity requires concentration and focus. The use of technology can
impact concentration and focus. In fact, according to Passage 1, technology is
filled with content designed to distract users. Just think back to your last
online search. Did you search once and done, or did you find yourself down
a rabbit hole moving from site to site soon forgetting your original purpose?
Children and teens can find it difficult to ignore distractors and as a result
often find themselves distracted from their original task. The author of
Passage 2 agrees and further explains by quoting Brian Solis, digital analyst
and anthropologist, who said “’once we are distracted, any possibility for
creativity is lost.’” Some opponents suggest that technology is not to blame
for this loss of concentration and focus and that technology can actually be a
tool for developing creativity in children (Passage 1). These people suggest
that children use e-readers or tablets to find information they need and learn
about new topics. However, the author of Passage 1 reminds readers that it
can be difficult for students to “sort through those distractions in order to
access the necessary information they need to fulfill their purpose.”
Therefore, it is clear that technology does not increase the concentration and
focus needed to be creative. (reason)
5. Double
underline any
counterclaims.
6. Draw a box
around any
transitional
words and/or
phrases.
7. How does the
writer tie the
conclusion back
to the
introduction?
No one is suggesting that children and teens should be absolutely banned
from using technology. We are dependent upon technology and using it is a
necessary skill. However, when considering the conditions necessary to be
creative, we should be cautious. Technology negatively affects the
concentration, focus, and time needed to be creative. Technology teaches
non-creativity. If today’s children and teens are not careful, technology may
steal their brain’s ability to think in unique and different ways.
2
© Copyright by Write Score LLC