A charging cart full of computers in the library ready for use by students at PHS. Photo by: Kennedy Schnieders
By Kennedy Schnieders
As technology has advanced and schools have separated themselves more and more from the traditional paper and pencil, many students have formulated differing opinions on the increased use of technology.
When Plymouth High School adopted a 1:1 computer ratio three years ago, many students were excited about the increased use of technology in school. Junior Guadalupe Ortiz stated that she “thought it was OK in some ways.” She felt that her class, the class of 2015, would be more adept at using the computers because they had also been given the same opportunity at Lincoln Junior High School. Freshman Jessica Drury claimed that she “thought it was a great idea to help open up more resources to students.” These resources that the computers enabled students to utilize, she felt, would “have a positive impact on the classroom.” Freshman Kyndel Grove concurred with Drury, claiming that the computers would be “very helpful for research.”
Even though many students were excited about the prospect of possessing a personal computer for the entire school day, many were unsure as to the impact the laptops would have on the classroom. Junior Nadia Baca claimed that the computers can have both a positive and negative impact on the classroom. “It’s good that things are more interactive and we have access to the internet all the time at school, but a lot of people abuse that fact and don’t pay attention in class.” In agreement with Baca, freshman Mary Blake said that while the computers can “make it easier to study and make some homework easier,” she believes computer problems can also hinder students’ work.
Forgoing the presumed impact of technology on the classroom, many students still have noticed a difference in their performance on schoolwork. Freshman Jordan Morrow claimed that his performance “depends on the type of work being done.” He gave the example of “on projects it helps a lot to perform better quality work.” Drury stated that the computers allow the “students that do their work do give higher quality because resources are available to them for homework and projects in and out of the classroom.” The ability of students to access information both inside of school and at home has had an impact on their grades as well. Sophomore Keaton Espich announced that he has “gotten better grades,” and it has been easier for him to complete his homework assignments.
Junior Josh Kuhn writes out notes by hand while using his computer for research. Photo by: Kennedy Schnieders
Despite the personal computers enabling increased access to information, some students may still prefer to learn with the traditional paper and pencil. Senior Yoselin Galeano said that she would prefer it if some classes only utilized paper and pencil because “it makes things easier and more effective.” Galeano feels that way because writing helps her to “retain things better than just typing,” which allows her to form “a mental image” of what she writes. On the opposite end of the scale, Espich, who prefers a computer of paper and pencil, feels that the laptop is of more benefit to him because it allows him to have all of his “notes and such” in one place where he can “view them easily.” Espich does concede that “there are instances when you really can’t use the computer, like in math class.”
With technology becoming more readily available, it is not just the high school who has made an effort to modernize the school day. Some high school students believe that introducing younger children to technology at such a young age is a good thing, while some still believe otherwise. Senior Kristina Ratcliff feels that kids should be introduced to technology “when they enter high school” because “they are more responsible.” Junior Jordan Kelly, who feels the same way about technology, stated that kids “don’t need to be on electronics all of the time,” so she feels Riverside would be a good age to introduce young students to technology. Yet another reason, as stated by Drury, is how kids should first learn how to research and “do things themselves on paper.”