Technology has undoubtedly left a permanent mark on the way modern-day students are learning in high school. With the introduction of chromebooks to schools in the early 2010s, the rapid rise of smartphones, and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, it would be an understatement to say that technology has played a big role in the academic lives of high schoolers.
“I think Chromebooks make learning, in general, a lot easier and more convenient,” said sophomore Sammy Francisco.
Francisco speaks for many when he says that Chromebooks have made things significantly less complicated in terms of learning and general education. Because everything is centered around and stored on a Chromebook, everything can be found in one simple place. Chromebooks also allow teachers to monitor students and what they are doing.
“Smartphones really distract me when I’m learning sometimes. I’ll be in the middle of class and my phone will buzz and my attention will go to my phone instead of what I’m learning,” freshman Gianna Gabbour said.
Smartphones, even with their many positive effects on society, also bring negative effects when considering learning and being in school. Some of these negative effects are cheating, distractions, and drama. Because smartphones are so ingrained into the modern world, all of their negative effects carry over to school and general learning.
“Chromebooks and phones can be used for cheating more easily. Honestly, I see my friends get out their phone mid-test sometimes,” freshman Dean Hunt says.
Hunt points out a glaring negative effect of technology in school. Because of the availability of the internet on chromebooks and phones, any question can be easily looked up in seconds.
Chromebooks and phones have greatly helped high school in many ways, such as easy access, availability and simplicity. However, they also have negatively affected high school in many ways due to cheating, addiction and distraction. Ultimately, technology has been a double-edged sword for high school development.
