Students use computers daily within Whitney Young, from homework and studying to games or videos. But have you ever wondered what students think of the provided school chromebooks?
Every student receives a loaned Chromebook upon their registration into Whitney Young, often benefiting students without computers. However, within recent years, chromebooks distributed to students of different grade levels have drastically changed. Incoming students now receive touchscreen chromebooks, an upgrade from the older versions previously provided.
Through conducting a random survey of 25 WY students of all grade levels, there was strong preference for the touchscreen model. Students expressed discontent about the functionality of the regular chromebook, with underclassmen stating that the touchscreen model was “better for note-taking and engaging.” The newer model is also a convertible between a tablet and a chromebook, a great option for education and learning.
Among the 25 participants in the survey, six of the nine students with chromebooks had non-touchscreen chromebooks (upperclassmen). While they all express gratitude for being provided chromebooks to use during their time in high school, many are unsatisfied with the chromebooks being too “slow, small, and breaking easily.” Many have even reported broken screens, keyboards, and extremely slow speeds due to the lack of memory. But what they lack in functionality they make up for in durability—a vital quality for computers handled by teenagers. These chromebooks are not only durable but also retain a long battery life—vital for computers being handled by teenagers.
The other 16 students rely on personal computers daily, bringing laptops to complete work and projects. Many of these students stopped using chromebooks after a year due to “convenience, flexibility, speed, and weight.” These students rate their personal computers around five out of ten points higher than the chromebook. In addition, schools often block websites to limit student activity, a primary reason for switching computers.
As technology continues to improve, it is apparent that Whitney Young students are beginning to favor newer computers for efficiency and optimal learning. All students should deserve and be provided functional chromebooks for the best educational experience. While it seems many students have opted for personal computers, school chromebooks continue to be a universal tool for students to use, lasting the duration of their time in high school.
