Despite negative press, computers come with many benefits.
“I would be misspelling a lot of words if I didn’t have my computer,” Señor Michael Brown, Spanish teacher, said. “I love spell check, especially when I’m writing in French. I’m a fan of having Chromebooks now because it allows the students to show what they know as individuals much easier, such as their listening comprehension abilities. As of right now, I believe we need both computers and paper, but eventually within 10 years or so, electronic devices will be the most beneficial. I think it positively affects my classroom considering I spent a long time converting listening comprehension activities to an online format. The online activities also help students with verb conjugations and their memorization of the vocabulary.”
Some teachers’ classes require the use of computers and online courses.
“I wouldn’t feel too good about only using paper,” Patrick Riley, business/computer teacher, said. “It’s too much grading by hand and no easy way to research stuff. I think having Chromebooks in classrooms is efficient for everybody. Computers are more beneficial than paper. They [Computers] definitely affect my classroom in a good way as it’s easier for grading, allows us to research, and not waste tons of paper that just gets thrown away eventually anyway.”
Others feel that using paper better allows students to learn.
“I would love it if classrooms still only relied on paper,” Rachel Corwin, AP Lang/Lit teacher, said. “It would make my life so much easier. I think Chromebooks are nothing but a huge distraction in class. I feel that the use of paper is more beneficial as students seem to focus more than when using a computer. It affects my teaching negatively when students are distracted and do not pay attention. It can be very frustrating.”
Most students disagree.
I love being able to have my own personal computer,” Naomi Gregory, junior, said. “It’s so much easier to write papers and turn in assignments. I wouldn’t like it if everything was on paper because I would get very bored and tired faster than I would if I was on a computer. I think the computers are more efficient and beneficial especially now that we get to carry our Chromebook around with us. It seems to positively affect classrooms because teachers usually get grades in faster, and we’re able to check them faster than if we only used paper.”
