At Arrowhead High School, students use technology every day. While online assignments may save paper and teach students how to use computers, some have concerns about the long-term effects of daily technology use, or don’t find it effective.
Some students appreciate the versatility of using computers in class. “Online assignments are the best because it is easier to focus and if you finish early you can do other assignments,” Luci Walker, Arrowhead Sophomore, said.
On the other hand, several studies suggest that recording notes with a writing utensil is more effective than typing notes on a computer. The Scientific American wrote, “when taking notes by hand, it’s often impossible to write everything down; students have to actively pay attention to the incoming information and process it.”
Paper assignments also eliminate distractions that come with a computer for students who have trouble focusing.
Online assignments though can have more robust tools and come with a greater access to information, especially with the invention of artificial intelligence which many teachers use to have students check essays and writing assignments with tools like Magic School.
Both paper and online assignments come with their advantages and disadvantages, but a mix of both and knowing what kind is best for the individual student can help improve understanding of class content.
