Students will be receiving Chromebooks this year to promote technology in the learning environment.  Seniors have received their Chromebooks, and the rest of the school will be receiving them by the end of this week. Many students believe that the Chromebooks are unnecessary, and that they should be able to use their own technology in school, but the decision has been made that Chromebooks are the only computers to be used in class.

Chromebooks are a great addition to the classroom. Not only do they provide every student with the means to work more efficiently on essays and projects, but they also open more opportunities for higher level learning and the use of technology in and out of class. Not only that,  it gives students the necessary skills to work on multiple platforms, which can only enhance their career skills.

Many students cannot afford to buy a laptop or an other computer to use at home. This makes doing longterm papers or projects difficult. Also, when teacher’s allow students to work on projects in class, these students are left with nothing to work on; therefore, students are wasting class time.  The Chromebooks help give all students the means to work efficiently in and out of school. They also help keep all assignments organized on one device.

Chromebooks also keep students on an equal playing field for assignments. Since every student is required to use a Chromebook, they are each given the same software and programs to complete assignments. If all students are given equal technology, then there is no reason for a student to not produce work that can be held at equal standards to any other classmate. Also, the Chromebooks keep inappropriate or distracting outside entities from entering the learning environment. This will help keep students focused on what they are supposed to be doing when working on technology-based assignments.

Many people say that the Chromebooks are unnecessary for students due to the lack of technology use in class, but this is completely false. Teachers are now required to incorporate more technology in their weekly lesson plans. In addition, students are required to write at least two papers every year in their English or history class, along with many projects, that must include presentations or spreadsheets. Students have also complained that the Chromebooks aren’t equipped with the right programs to allow them to complete their work most efficiently. However, Google drive is one of the most efficient ways to collect and store assignments. Google also contains a program for slideshows, word documents, and spread sheets, along with a “share” feature, where students can allow other students and teachers to view and edit their assignments. Google Classroom is also another great tool teachers can use to collect and assign work to students. These features give students everything they need to complete their work.

The Chromebooks will be a great addition to the school. They allow students to work affectively alone or with other students. Not only do they give students an opportunity to have access to technology 24/7, but they also help teachers create a more technologically advanced learning environment. Students should take advantage of this new addition to the classroom and quit complaining.