When laptops were first introduced in the classrooms four years ago, teachers encouraged the usage of technology, and students openly accepted the idea. Opinions changed this year when the administration announced that students must use their laptops in every class. With broken hinges and poor battery life—just to name two of the endless list of computer issues—students now strongly oppose the technology plan.
Personal laptop problems aside, what is the reason for students to be in such an uproar over this “going paperless” project? Is there one student out there who can honestly admit that he or she does not go home after school and log onto the Internet?
Whether students like the school’s paperless plan or not, they have to face the facts: society is leaning towards a technology-centered world. Need to get your mail? Don’t walk to your mailbox — check your inbox. The nationwide closing of newspaper companies and post offices is part of the evolution from paper to pixels. Even hospitals are going paperless by converting patients’ paper files into a digital format.
Going paperless in the school community has forced not only students but also parents and families to embrace technology. By getting rid of the school calendar, parents must consult the website.
Those who are all about going green and saving the environment should be in favor of the paperless plan. The computers enable students to be both environmentally friendly and time efficient as well. Instead of wasting trees by printing out seven page history papers, students can upload their essays or homework to teachers’ drop boxes with a simple click of a button.
Not convinced that printing one essay will affect the environment? Think about if every student in the school—nearly 900 people—printed a five page paper. That’s 4500 sheets of paper right there. Using drop boxes to submit papers, OneNote to take notes, and discussion boards to share ideas saves trees and money in the process.
The school isn’t trying to anger students with the paperless project. Seeing the transformation of today’s society has sparked the administration’s desire to place students ahead of the game by going paperless. Students can complain all they want about using computers, but it’s not going to change what’s happening. The world is turning toward technology, and our school is too. Why fight something that’s inevitable?
Jenny Hottle can be reached for comment at [email protected].