Now that students are back in school, they have been gifted the use of a chromebook to aid them in their studies.

     Schools are employing the use of technology more than ever before. This use has opened a multitude of possibilities, whether it be online tests or assignments. 

     Since the beginning of an in-person return, some teachers have been reverting back to paper assignments. Other teachers are reusing assignments from when schools were online or a hybrid of paper and online.

     “Everything I give [my students] they can either do it on paper or they can do it online,” said Danielle Franco,  a Monte Vista Spanish teacher. “But I like to have them write a lot on paper because it’s better for them.”

     Unlike some teachers, students have found online assignments convenient and enjoy the employment of them. 

     “[Doing work online]. . . is a lot easier because it’s more accessible,” sophomore Theophilus Lee said..”If I focus I can get it done a lot faster, but the problem is [it’s harder] focusing online.” 

     Rebounding back from the pandemic, many teachers are concerned about students that cheated during online school, leading students to fall behind. With a decrease in grades and overall scores, some students will resort to cheating which would lead to the abuse of the new technologies.

     Nonetheless, teachers have little worry in regards to students exploiting the chromebooks, as certain websites are blocked and limited by the district.

     “I think they are using [chromebooks] for school. ” Franco said. “ The chromebooks are pretty locked down.”

     Be that as it may, the district is restricting websites that would improve high schoolers abilities to work and learn more efficiently such as grammarly.

     “My teacher in Chemistry posted a website link but it was blocked by the school so we couldn’t access it,” Lee said. “I definitely do think that some websites should be unblocked…but the restrictions block some access [that affect education] but not that much.”

     These restrictions have encouraged students to bring their personal devices to allow them to use websites that would otherwise be blocked but are useful. 

     “I definitely think it would be better [to use personal devices] because it’s faster and there are more websites available.” Lee said.

     However, these personal devices have also allowed students to go on websites that are considered by administrators to be unnecessary for education such as cool math games. 

     “I’m concerned about the cheating,” Franco said. “Students need to be held at a higher level of accountability this year than last year.” 

     The concern of cheating is on the forefront of teachers’ minds as grades are significantly lower this year than pre-pandemic years. This is due to the fact that a lot of students took advantage of the ability to freely browse the internet during class assignments and tests to cheat. 

    The expanded use of technology for students and teachers alike brings much discussion behind its uses whether it’s better or worse. Hopefully, with this new usage of technology there will be an increase in student and teacher productivity. 

     Continuing the school year with unknown possibilities will pose challenges and moments of ease and excitement. Students will be able to access many resources that could support their education and provide a unique way for teachers to distribute work. However, these materials could backfire and encourage cheating.

     Through chrome books, work in class can be broadened whether it be fun games or unique classwork.

     “It’s fun to have the online option, but it might not always be the best thing. ” Franco said.