As technology advances, schools begin limiting the amount of paperwork given. Many teachers move to online lessons and assignments whether it’s daily work, homework or projects. While there are many benefits to schoolwork via the Internet, teachers should assign more paper assignments to ensure student engagement and quality of learning.
Education saw an increase in digital learning after COVID-19. Since many campuses were asynchronous, teachers found ways to adapt by using technology to teach. Although these adaptations were helpful during quarantine, continuing to implement these procedures lowers students’ understanding of the content being taught. A study by The Department of Education found text comprehension skills in teenagers dropped by four points following COVID-19. Education through tactile lessons and projects should be more present and a higher priority to teachers.
Digital learning poses a potential harm to students. Essentially staring at a computer screen eight hours a day, five days a week drains students and can cause discomfort through headaches and dry eyes. Additionally, digital learning encourages screen time, which has proven to enhance physical inactivity among students. Prioritizing the general well-being of students would promote student involvement, engagement and mental health.
As technology advances, so does student’s accessibility to resources which enables cheating. Assigning paperwork makes cheating difficult and encourages studying, as relying on outside sources is more difficult to access. Google extensions like Grammarly allow for artificial intelligence technology to integrate with any Google application without the requirement of switching tabs. These enhancements can pose as unfair to those who cannot enable such resources.
Depending on technology means holding full confidence in stable WiFi and Internet connection. Relying on a factor that can be affected so easily causes more problems than benefits. Many instances occur where the power goes out at school and teachers hold “free days” because their resources are down and they have no backup plan. Sticking to paper content would ensure students can learn anytime, anywhere regardless of connection.
Proponents of digital learning believe the resources available online make learning more efficient and beneficial. However, handwriting information is proven to help retain information more than typing. Many students learn better through tactile actions like writing and drawing.
Relying on technology for educational purposes takes work away from students and allows them to take a shortcut that can affect their learning. Schools should enforce the importance of paper-based learning and limit the amount of technology used in the classroom.
