On the heels of College Board’s controversial decision to change the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) to a fully digital format, a strong discussion has formed amongst teachers and students debating whether digital or paper assignments are preferred.
Supporters of the digital format have highlighted the convenience of being able to consolidate all assignments and tests onto one device. Digital assignments not only allow for more organization, but also allow for more seamless collaboration amongst students. Shared documents and discussion boards make it easier for students to share ideas and work together.
“I love being able to have all my work and assignments on one device rather than having loose papers,” said senior Shriyans Vittal. “It makes it much easier to stay organized.”
However, many others still prefer paper assignments and tests. Some of the benefits of paper is the ability to annotate easily and the simplicity. Research from the Scientific American Magazine has also shown that taking notes by hand can improve comprehension and retention. Paper assignments also can take away the possibility of technological issues and hacking. Putting the article digitally leaves risk of information being breached and various forms of cheating. Paper tests are usually more secure and can be administered in controlled environments.
Typically, the type of test currently administered is dependent on the teacher, so many students at Monte Vista have experienced both.
“For me personally, I like to use paper because it’s what I’m used to,” said senior Josh ‘Abdul’ Sahota. “Computers may be faster and more convenient but I feel that I can think better when taking the test on paper.”
The issue right now is whether to permanently switch to digitalized tests and assignments or keep a paper format. Once the ultimate decision is made for big tests such as the SAT, preferences cannot be taken into account.
“I give out both kinds of tests,” said English teacher Ms. Rachel Hughes, “I think when students are required to synthesize their information at a fast pace, it makes more sense to do it digitally.”
The format of the test can have a great impact on the student ability in test taking and knowledge retention. In a fast paced digitally moving world, the choice between paper and digitized testing becomes a much more prevalent question. Paper or digital can have big effects on students’ ability to take tests and it is an important decision for education systems heading forward.
