By DISHA BAILOOR, junior

Today, we use technology in every aspect of life: to get our daily entertainment fix, to communicate with our peers, and to stay connected. That is, every aspect of life, except for school. We, as students, have been exposed to many different kinds of media, ranging from Google Classroom to Edmodo; however, we are not allowed to use phones or laptops in school unless we receive permission from a teacher. That is about to change. Just imagine the JP student body with a new piece of learning technology: Macbooks. Something that seems like a dream will soon become a reality. Macbooks, despite garnering a lot of criticism from skeptical students and parents alike, will have a positive effect on our education.

The possible uses for Macbooks are endless; taking notes, accessing information, and checking grades are all feasible with this new technology. Not only will we be given free Macbooks this incoming year, but we also will no longer have to carry heavy books and binders from class to class. Online textbooks will be more readily available to students, lessening the burden on our shoulders and back. No longer will your hands cramp up from scribbling down information; you can simply take notes by typing them online, which is much more efficient than using a pen and paper. Macbooks can prove to be resourceful by offering immediate results, but they can also help students focus better in class. They will engage students for a longer period of time than traditional methods, since studies show that students tend to be more alert and motivated when technology and other visual sources are used in teaching. Macbooks are more appealing to students because they make it easier for students to obtain diverse information from the internet instantly, enhancing their learning experience.

Furthermore, as a direct result of acquiring access to technology, our library will become less crowded. Students will not be forced to go to the library whenever they need access to the internet for research, communication, and other purposes. As a result, the library’s users will be filtered down to the original denizens, readers who utilize the library for literature or to study, not to use the technology. Having fewer people in the library will directly contribute to making it a quieter, more vacant space where students can study without distractions from noise and other people.

The introduction of MacBooks into our school environment helps prepare students for college, a place where professors often assign work that must be completed digitally. College assignments are typically typed papers that may or may not require research that is done on the computer, making it indispensable for every college student to have a personal computer handy at all times. Because college students heavily rely on their laptops, they have become accustomed to carrying them around campus. Why not practice this beforehand, in high school? Implementing one-on-one technology early on allows students to learn important 21st century skills, most notably typing. This will make our transition from high school to college much smoother; our school’s students will be better prepared for college because they will have had previous exposure to using technology in the classroom.

Although some may argue that Macbooks will undermine a student’s high school education, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. In a world that is rapidly modernizing, preparing our high schools with new technology is the only way to assure that our students are ready to overcome the challenges that face them after graduation. Administration is not giving us these Macbooks to complicate our lives with new technology; rather, they prepare us for college and the rapidly modernizing workforce.

Image Source: http://cdn1.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3605337/MacbookAir11_lifestyle_15_thumb800.jpg