Laptops ‘R’ Us

By: Crystal Carroll

Now that the twenty-first century has arrived, it is time for our school to get a technology makeover. This new age is known as the “computer age,” but for some reason, most public high schools, including ESHS, are somewhat lacking in this area. We are starting to become more advanced because of the new PowerSchool database that allows every student to access his or her grades online anytime. There are even teachers, like Dr. Gen and Mr. Wood, who have class websites. Students post essays and assignments on the computer without stepping foot in a classroom. But, there are still some steps we need to take in order to become the “rich” school we are known as by other rival schools. A proposal that would be perfect for our advancement in technological resources would be the capability of every student on campus to have a laptop. Each classroom would be equipped with Internet access for each desk. Teachers would put on computer slide shows to go with their lectures, giving an extra level of academic enrichment. Everything would become “high-tech,” not to mention classy and sophisticated. Junior Tracy Davies believes that “It would great for everybody to have a laptop in every class because it would make it easier to write in class essays and type notes. However, I also realize that there would be kids playing games and not paying attention while they were suppose to be listening.” Junior James A. Nelson IV said “Having laptops in every class is a great idea and would be nice, but I believe that it's not realistic because it costs too much- that is why we have computer labs. So, no, I do not think that we should have laptops in the classroom.” Maybe if the school boards in our country would spend money on the teachers and the students, instead of fancy buffets, limo rides, cell phones, and five star hotels when going on business trips, we might be able to afford it. Technology should be incorporated into our education system more because everyone needs to learn how to use a computer. We should have a mandatory computer class that everyone should take to make sure each student understands how to do basic skills on a PC. All teachers should have a website for their classes, so students can check homework assignments and lecture notes. People need to be aware that computers will be universal in a matter of time. When we graduate and get jobs in the crazy world, it is essential to know how to use a computer. Everything people do will be online. There are no hand-written essays in the real world, only clean cut and word-processed. High school is supposed to be helping us prepare for the real world, but they have seemed to forget one of the most important learning tools for our modern society. There have been studies on whether or not these in-class laptops help students learn and raise test scores. From a test done in 2003 on high schools with laptops for every student, it was proven that subject scores raised a significant amount, more than that of a class without computers. This new technology motivates students to learn, because it is something that we enjoy doing. It would make class more interesting, too. There is no doubt that every school will be equipped with laptops in the next decade or two. Our society will end up eliminating paper, and strictly rely on computers for everything. El Segundo High School students need to be well adapted with modern day society technology. What is good for the laptops is good for the environment.

http://www.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20000924laptops3.asp