The Paperless Classroom
Is all digital all the time a good thing?
By SOPHIE OJDANIC, ANNIE GJINECI, AND RACHEL GADOURY
J.Hop Times Editors
It may be the biggest change in education since desegregation.
And it isn’t a question of if it’s going to happen. It’s when.
School districts across the country are moving toward paperless classrooms. Instead of notebooks, textbooks and worksheets, students will be doing their work on laptops, iPads and tablets. In many places, they’re already there.
President Obama announced last year that he wants every student in America to have a laptop, tablet or smartphone, and he wants all 50 million kids on line by 2017. “In a country where we expect free Wi-Fi with our coffee, the least we can do is expect our schools to be properly wired,’’ the President said recently. “If they (students) think school is 20 to 30 years behind them, they’re going to lose interest in schools.’’
Besides saving millions of trees, education experts say that students can learn more quickly on devices that they already use.
But is getting rid of all things paper a good thing?
According to the Time report, the Association of Pediatrics “has been warning parents for years to limit screen time for their children, but now screens are filling up the school day.
“Emerging research suggests that there may be reason for concern. Optometrists warn that a steep increase in blue-light exposure from screens could lead to eye problems later in life.’’ The report also mentioned “physical ailments” like sore backs, dry eyes and painful necks, especially with kids who have to use computers on desks designed for pencil and paper.
The J.Hop Times asked dozens of teachers and students what they thought about a paperless classroom. The general consensus was this:
PROS
• Less writing.
• No textbooks or notebooks.
• Faster for grading.
• Gets students into likinglearning.
• Fewer trees are being used.
• Research is easier.
• Most students know how to use it.
CONS
• Kids will get distracted easier.
• System shutdown
• Files can be deleted
• Screens can crack.
• No one will talk to each other.
• Parents and educators are not used to these devices
• Glitches
• Eyesight could get worse.
• Cyberbullying might happen.
“Technology isn’t bad but, the dependence on technology could turn out to be a bad thing,” said eighth-grader Skylaa Richardson. “It could be really distracting.’’
Ms. Lloyd, the eighth-grade secretary said going all digital is good. “Grading and referrals would be much faster,’’ she said. “But if the system goes down, there better be a back-up.’’
Ms Forte, a gym teacher, believes students — not computers — need to do the thinking. “It will slow the students’ brains and be distracting,’’ she said. “It doesn’t help communication.’’
But most students think more computers and less paper is a better way to learn. “It helps us search for things, your hands don’t hurt, and it makes learning easier and fun,’’ said eighth-grader Sameron Jones. “That’s the whole point.’’
Is all digital all the time a good thing?
By SOPHIE OJDANIC, ANNIE GJINECI, AND RACHEL GADOURY
J.Hop Times Editors
It may be the biggest change in education since desegregation.
And it isn’t a question of if it’s going to happen. It’s when.
School districts across the country are moving toward paperless classrooms. Instead of notebooks, textbooks and worksheets, students will be doing their work on laptops, iPads and tablets. In many places, they’re already there.
President Obama announced last year that he wants every student in America to have a laptop, tablet or smartphone, and he wants all 50 million kids on line by 2017. “In a country where we expect free Wi-Fi with our coffee, the least we can do is expect our schools to be properly wired,’’ the President said recently. “If they (students) think school is 20 to 30 years behind them, they’re going to lose interest in schools.’’
Besides saving millions of trees, education experts say that students can learn more quickly on devices that they already use.
But is getting rid of all things paper a good thing?
According to the Time report, the Association of Pediatrics “has been warning parents for years to limit screen time for their children, but now screens are filling up the school day.
“Emerging research suggests that there may be reason for concern. Optometrists warn that a steep increase in blue-light exposure from screens could lead to eye problems later in life.’’ The report also mentioned “physical ailments” like sore backs, dry eyes and painful necks, especially with kids who have to use computers on desks designed for pencil and paper.
The J.Hop Times asked dozens of teachers and students what they thought about a paperless classroom. The general consensus was this:
PROS
• Less writing.
• No textbooks or notebooks.
• Faster for grading.
• Gets students into likinglearning.
• Fewer trees are being used.
• Research is easier.
• Most students know how to use it.
CONS
• Kids will get distracted easier.
• System shutdown
• Files can be deleted
• Screens can crack.
• No one will talk to each other.
• Parents and educators are not used to these devices
• Glitches
• Eyesight could get worse.
• Cyberbullying might happen.
“Technology isn’t bad but, the dependence on technology could turn out to be a bad thing,” said eighth-grader Skylaa Richardson. “It could be really distracting.’’
Ms. Lloyd, the eighth-grade secretary said going all digital is good. “Grading and referrals would be much faster,’’ she said. “But if the system goes down, there better be a back-up.’’
Ms Forte, a gym teacher, believes students — not computers — need to do the thinking. “It will slow the students’ brains and be distracting,’’ she said. “It doesn’t help communication.’’
But most students think more computers and less paper is a better way to learn. “It helps us search for things, your hands don’t hurt, and it makes learning easier and fun,’’ said eighth-grader Sameron Jones. “That’s the whole point.’’