Students and teachers at Ukiah High can agree that computers in classrooms have only been getting more common, but does this change really benefit students? Wildcats weigh in:
Looking at how screens have impacted his classes, Spanish Teacher Señor Taylor says, ¨these platforms have definitely changed my classes in that we are focused on Google Classroom quite a bit.¨ He commented on the pros and cons: ¨ I think it allows me to clearly state what I’ve taught during the day in the form of recaps. All they have to do now is check Google Classroom and see what the work is. It’s forced me to use more online assignments, and I’ve got mixed feelings about that, frankly. I kind of miss the old days of just pen and paper.¨
Señor Taylor uses platforms like Quizlet, Classroom, Formative, Conogemos, and the online textbook on Clever. On his reaction to students using their computers for the wrong thing, he says, ¨ I get grumpy with students. I see that as a sign of disrespect. I know that in this day and age, there’s a lot of video game playing, and attention spans are short. Students want instant gratification by playing something that’s really entertaining.¨
He ended by commenting on the irony of adults discouraging screens at home, and yet technology becoming more common in schools: ¨I think technology is a double-edged sword. We’ve obviously got some good benefits, but I think if misused, it’s not good for our brains. There is definitely some irony there, but I think if the tool is used properly, it can be really beneficial.¨
Math teacher Brian Montgomery shares, “It’s been really amazing, actually, what [the students] are able to do. I’m thinking of Google Classroom, in particular. Students have the capability, if they want, to stay caught up. They don’t seem to take advantage of it almost ever, but the opportunity is there. There’s something about the ease of it; it almost seems like students slack off more. Somehow it brings the level down instead of it going the other way.”
Montgomery continued with what happened after COVID: “The reintroduction of technology seems to be a push from the district. Maybe that’s just the way the world’s going, and that’s what students are used to. The irony is, we’re supposed to be off the screens, but we have all of this just ingrained in our lives. I try not to use [screens] just because I think a pencil and paper are the best way to go. There’s a real conflict between this amazing technology and whether or not we should use it.”
Science Teacher Mrs. Raugewitz weighs in, too: “I use many platforms for teaching and learning. I feel that it offers another way to deliver information with graphics and sounds and can make learning richer and more accessible to various learning styles.”
She continued with the negative aspects, “while I find merit in the use of these online platforms for learning, I am still a firm believer in paper and pencil learning. I am fearful about the actual knowledge and intelligence potential our future faces. Too many young and old people spend way too much time on their computers, phones, and not enough time actually talking or learning face-to-face.”
Principal Dr Alvarez shared her thoughts: “I think technology is good. And also, I was lucky to grow up at a time when we didn’t have it. I do think there is such a thing as too much. What I’ve learned for me, not only as a principal, but just as a human being, is that balance is important.”
She spoke about her view on AI and learning platforms in school, “I’m actually a big fan of AI as a tool. If we use it appropriately, it can help us excel our work to a level where some tasks that used to take a long time, we don’t have to spend a long time on. If we have tools that make our jobs easier, we should be using them, but all these tools can’t be the answer. Then it becomes a negative. We still have to teach.”
She ended with a simple but strong message to students, teachers, and everyone else in the community. “Use AI, use it as a tool, not an answer. Use it so you can have more time to do the things that matter.”
Students also weigh in on the use of technology in school: Senior Sasha Foley says, “I enjoy the frequency of the use of computers in class because it helps me engage in the lesson. During lectures, I like to open my computer to the slides being presented so I can have the information right in front of me and take notes from it at my own pace. Online learning platforms have also been incredibly useful. It helps that these are online because I can use them wherever I am and never have to worry about bringing paper and pencils to all the places I study. However, I do believe that it has greatly increased our dependency on tech.”
Junior Yoselin Solorio has a different take. She thinks we are overly dependent on tech in school. “I don’t like it, it makes class boring, and it makes me tired.” She continued saying, “After COVID ended, people realized things can be done easily online.”
In a poll conducted by UHS News, students responded to questions regarding the use of screens in classrooms:
66% of students said they used some type of screen in class every day, and 48% said that using screens in class helps them stay somewhat engaged. Only 5% said the use of screens in class is distracting, while 31% said it helped them to stay engaged.
In response to whether or not their learning experience would worsen without screens, 16% said it would improve, 33% said it would worsen, and 30% said it wouldn’t have a major impact.
Finally, students answered on the perfect balance of digital and non-digital learning. 23% said they preferred mostly digital, 55% said a 50/50 balance is right, 20% said mostly non-digital was best, and only 2% said they would prefer completely non-digital learning.
So, are learning platforms helpful? It depends on personal preference; some say yes, some are less certain. However, one thing is for sure: they aren’t going away any time soon, and this is a fact we must accept.
Salvio Senerchia was born in Santa Rosa and has lived in Mendocino County his whole life. He is a Freshman and in his first year of Journalism. He has a deep care for the world, its imperfections and inequalities. Salvio loves all things soccer, and is interested in law. He is an avid Liverpool F.C. fan and hopes to visit the city and attend a match! He loves learning, especially History, Math, and any and all reading and writing. He enjoys writing about current and past events and conflicts. Salvio loves traveling, exploring the world and learning about the places he visits.