Since the invention of modern schooling structures, students have been finding ways to distract themselves. Whether it’s a group of children making paper airplanes in the 1960s, or students playing virtual billiards on their school computers, distractions like this are the bane of teachers everywhere. 

In the early 21st century, many schools made the decision to give students access to personal computing technology, and later access to personal computers that students could use for their school work. Supporters of this idea believe that it educates young people on how to use the technology that may control the future. While it is true that student preparedness for the future is important, some wonder whether the drawbacks presented by this type of technology are worth it.

Principles often feel some of the effects of students using technology more than anyone, being in charge of ensuring students use it properly while also attempting to push for students to be more experienced with said technology.

“I don’t think that as a school we should steer away from having macbooks, I think what we should do as a school is to try and figure out about how can we try and educate them all on how they use macbooks,” Darnell said.

This stance highlights just how much of a double-edged sword the macbooks can be. On one hand, they can be quite troublesome and can cause students to lose focus in the classroom. On the other hand, they  provide valuable experience with technology. 

“I don’t think they’ve been more disruptive, I think they’ve been more withdrawn from their education,” Darnell said.

Although the school staff generally regards technology as more of a necessary evil than an amazing opportunity, many students hold much more positive opinions on their technology. 

In a questionnaire, over 47% of students responded that they used their macbooks often. This indicates an increased reliance on technology for classroom instruction, which exemplifies how technology is becoming increasingly necessary in a classroom setting.

“I think a lot of the stuff we do does depend on technology … I think it might make it a little bit worse if we tried to get rid of technology,” Bauer (11) said.

This reliance on technology can be a cause for concern among some, especially those who believe that technology can be more of a distraction. For many, the use of technology in schools is viewed as beneficial for students.

“I think it was [a good idea], it makes a lot of work significantly easier,” Bauer (11) said.

Ultimately, the use of technology by students is controversial and risky, but can also provide a tremendous learning opportunity for students to not only complete their education easier, but also  gain real-world experience.