“If I had one million yuan, I would buy you a palace! Do I have one million yuan? No, I don’t! So I only can spend ten fen on this short message, sending you my best wishes!”

Today, SMS—Short Message Service is popular, and China Mobile says that every second, there are 410 messages being sent.

Look around you! People are watching their mobiles, smiling or laughing. Thumbs (拇指) are moving quickly on mobiles, bringing happiness to their friends. Through SMS, we know the weather report, share jokes and news, express (表达) love and friendship.

SMS is becoming more and more popular. It is reported that 67% of young people like to send short messages to greet each other. Internet SMS will be more helpful to people. I am thankful for the progress because SMS saves me much money. Just on the top end of a thumb, so much joy can be found!

Now many people are talking about and using the Internet. But not all of us know the history of the Internet. In fact, scientists began to study the Internet in the 1960s. However, it didn’t work well enough. For example, if one computer in the network (网络) broke down, then the whole network stopped. Scientists kept trying. They set up (建立) a new network system (系统). Many different computers could use it. Even (即使) a computer didn’t work, the whole system would be OK.

At first only government (政府) used the Internet. But in the early 1970s, universities (大学), hospitals and banks (银行) began to use it, too. But it was still very expensive and difficult to use. Then in the 1990s, computers became cheaper and easier to use because of scientists’ hard work.

Now the Internet comes into every part of our life. It’s hard to believe what our life will be like without the Internet.

More and more people believe that technologies are great for learning. Today, such teaching tools as iPads are used in a lot of courses, including language, history and science.

Many teachers are supporters of using iPads in language learning. They say that students now have much more time for discussion in the classroom. Instead of spending valuable class time listening to texts or watching teaching videos, students can do this on their own and come to class prepared for discussion.

The teachers also say that iPads allow students to learn at their own pace. Some students might listen to a dialogue only once and understand it, so they can save time for doing other things. Other students, however, might need to listen to the same dialogue again and again to understand it. Using iPads is especially helpful to students who are learning a language at different paces.

The students who are using the new tool in some courses are also happy. They believe that using iPads is a more enjoyable way to learn (such as listening to stories and watching movies). The class has become much more interesting and creative.

There are other advantages for students. By using iPads, they can pay more attention to the material and learn more. Teaching notes are stored in their iPads and are easy to find. Some students spend more time studying now. “I can listen to my language material or watch teaching videos on the bus, instead of having to wait until I get home,” a student explained.

Many adults complain that technologies such as iPads are doing harm to students. They worry that students might use iPads to download teaching notes and use them to cheat during exams. Some believe that iPads may separate students from each other. If a student spends more time watching videos on an iPad, he will have fewer opportunities to have face-to-face communication with others.

However, technologies are already a part of most students’ day-to-day lives. As for cheating, teachers can ask students to hand in their iPads when they take exams. Education needs to make changes with the times as technology is playing an important part. We should look forward to a wonderful future when iPads and other technologies can add a lot to the classroom.