This year at Timber Creek High School, laptops have been provided to all students. They received them before the year began and the idea of “going digital” has very mixed reviews. Many students love having everything in one place and enjoy completing assignments online. It is felt that the computers give easy access to everything they need including textbooks and other programs. The new laptops also provide internet access at school to students who may not have it at home. In a world that is also going digital, it is important for all students to have access to these internet resources in and out of school.
Another opinion on going digital is that the students aren’t fond of the laptops. Freshman Noah Vazquez explains, “I still have other paper textbooks; I try to use paper and pencil for assignments and notes whenever I can. I don’t like using it and the laptop is just an extra thing to carry around.” So for some, the new required laptops are more of a burden than a helping hand. Sophomore Kasey Adkins also agrees and says, “They make your backpack so heavy. We still have to carry around all of our binders and books so the laptop weighs it down even more. I also feel more organized with just using paper and pen.”
Another concern with the new laptops is that they are new for everyone and the technology often has problems. Some students have reported throughout the year having trouble with their screens not turning on or their keyboard not working properly. Although, Timber Creek administration and staff are doing their best to help fix that! There is a technology lab in the media center where students can go for questions or help with their laptops. Students also can put in tech requests and someone will come out and try to repair it for them in the classroom!
Power outlets were also added in the courtyard, to give students a way to charge their new laptops. Charging has been a common problem among students. Since needing a laptop for school every day is so new, many students forget to give them their nightly charge. The addition of outlets in the courtyard provides students with a convenient way to charge them up before class. PTSA also gave teachers power strips in order to accommodate all of the new technology they will be using throughout the year.
All of this tech isn’t just for the students, though. Teachers have also been provided with new laptops as well as updates to their classrooms. In every classroom a smart board & presentation station has been installed. These smart boards took the place of the “outdated” projectors. Now instead of the teacher having to take notes and project them onto the screen, now you can just write them on the smartboard. The boards are touch screens so you can simply write all over them. This can help speed up the lectures and other presentations.
Despite the flaws of the new system, this is only the first year of using the laptops. In a few years’ time the school will know exactly how to keep these laptops up and running. The students will also be more adapted to using a digital device in class every day because of the use of laptops in middle and elementary schools.
