Most people at City are very excited about the upgrade to Chromebooks, but I am a member of the small percentage who preferred the original ways of learning. I will admit, being able to access files in class and working on homework without needing a textbook is nice. I understand the benefit of having technology at your fingertips, especially for those who don’t have computer access otherwise. There is plenty of good that comes out of this, but there are also many cons.

Computers are distracting. Being an Internet “addict,” it is always tempting to go off in class to check my Facebook and whatnot, and Chromebooks make those things easier to reach. Being left with a computer and free Wi-Fi while your teacher is not looking can make it tempting to use technology to your advantage.

In previous years, I have heard teachers explain that studying is easier when you write, not type. Writing down notes is extremely helpful for me and many of my peers in class. Flashcards are also prefered over Quizlet or other studying sites. Being able to write things down with a physical pencil on paper can help academically, which is being threatened by having Chromebooks. While on this topic, I would like to thank all of my teachers who say, “Get out your notebooks.”

Although discussions are available on Canvas and Google Classroom, one-on-one interaction has vastly decreased. I only know the name of the person next to me because I saw it when I was finding my seat. People can prefer to work alone, but being involved can help prepare for future jobs or experiences that require interaction. Devices have been sucking interaction out of our lives for years now, starting with online chats and social media. Sadly, I can imagine a classroom where we simply are given a task and we spend the day not talking and typing away on our Chromebooks. The more we put technology in our classrooms, the less interaction we will have with one another.

I don’t want my future, whether it is in the rest of high school or through college, to be based around a single laptop rather than talking and writing and working together with other people. I believe that Chromebooks on top of all the technology we have in the classroom is exceeding the limit to how much we actually need, as students, to learn.