The 21st century, often referred to as the golden age of technology, is known for its technological advancements and discoveries.
These advancements are crucial for today’s society, but they’re affecting students, the future of America. While many students, parents, and teachers are eager to explore how technology can improve the classroom and learning environment, others prefer the more traditional approach: paper and pencil.
Students learn in many ways: computers are used in many science courses for interactive learning modules and online textbooks. Other courses found in the history or English departments are taught more traditionally, taking notes on paper or reading books and packets. Fifth Former Milan Varma, speaking about Ms. Harnett’s English class, said: “We [don’t] use computers as much as other classes; I like this style of learning because […] it feels like students’ discussions are changed because students are not hiding behind computer screens and you form more genuine connections in the class.”
Similarly, Mr. Tim Lengel’s U.S. history class is all about open discussion and reading printed texts. Fifth Former Unnav Sharma, reflecting on that class said, “I like this style we work with right now because I feel like if students were to be on computers, then they would be distracted and they wouldn’t be engaged in the conversation.”
“I like this style we work with right now because I feel like if students were to be on computers, then they would be distracted and they wouldn’t be engaged in the conversation.”
Mr. timothy Lengel
Mr. Lengel’s U.S. history class is “a group of students working hard together to get to the nuances of a difficult text. I think the best way to do that is to remove all distractions except for the text and the men in the class,” Mr. Lengel said. “During discussion I feel like the key thing is for us to be focused on each other.”
With his methods, Mr. Lengel proves that reading physical texts and having open discussion is still a viable, or even preferred, strategy.
However, there are some classes where it’s just more efficient to use technology in place of analog learning. Students taking biology said that it’s easier to organize their work, and that the use of online textbooks is more efficient than using paper copies.
Many students use the popular website “Quizlet” for quick memorization of material. The site is used almost every day in language classes due to its simple flashcards and fun games. Fifth Former Robby Busser said that without Quizlet, “You’d have less of a vocabulary and it would make [class] harder. [Online resources] make it easier to learn.”
Language classes also require online dictionaries and fast ways to translate words to facilitate student learning. While these sites and services could be replaced by flashcards and paper dictionaries, the speed at which you use them isn’t comparable to their online counterparts.
Haverford implements both ways of learning into the curriculum: the modern, technological approach, and the traditional textbook route. However, there is still no definite answer to which method is preferred and which is more effective as different classes require different methods of operation.
In my opinion, we should balance both; we should not forget about old-fashioned note-taking, reading, and discussion, but we also have to evolve and adapt to learn in the most effective ways possible.
For some classes, this entails physical copies of textbooks and reducing the use of electronics, and for other classes, computers are necessary and help students learn faster, more effectively, and more enjoyably.
Math classes and English classes should be taught using paper and pencil, books, and discussion, rarely making use of computers. Language and science classes should rely on eReaders and digital text as opposed to physical copies and lectures, forcing students to memorize facts offered verbally by teachers.
