Nathan De La Cerda | Multimedia Journalist
Electronic devices have become huge resources used in the education system. As times have progressed, more students are starting to throw out the papers and textbooks and turning to laptops, tablets and eBooks as their sources for education.
The realization that our devices are powerful tools for learning has encouraged many students throughout the country to transition to a paperless education. These methods have developed extensively to the point where educational efficiency can be greatly improved once technology is integrated more into our everyday schools.
According to Ben Johnson from Edutopia, your average school is likely to spend $7,500 on printing service and ink in addition to the $25,000 spent on paper. We’re talking one school spending well over $30,000 on printing papers alone. With millions of dollars spent on supplies like paper, textbooks, and ink, going paperless would save schools, teachers, and students money that could ultimately be used elsewhere to ensure student success. Money that is not spent on paper could be used to enhance the learning experience in schools such as in labs or other interactive activities.
In addition, it also saves the environment by saving millions of trees every year. In America alone, the average person will use 680 pounds of paper per year. This amounts to a total of about 2,000,000,000 trees. In this study by the Paperless Movement, about 13,000 pieces of paper are thrown away in an American household. The huge amount of paper that goes in to printing will utterly damage and destroy our environment.
This cost-efficient method of using electronic devices in the classroom would give students the abilities to pursue more creative freedom in their work, which can increase their engagement in the learning material. Interactive activities on electronic devices have shown that students will be more intrigued and interested in the given topics. The freedom given to the students would create a more fun learning environment. Students who enjoy learning will ultimately learn more effectively.
The amount of stress that is placed on many students is an effect of the high expectations they have in the academic world. In a Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, many students can agree that managing papers can be a real hassle that adds a real big stress on students. However, with digital devices being implemented into schools, this problem can become virtually nonexistent when files may be easily managed and organized on digital devices. When all scholarly documents are found digitally on electronic devices, students will be able to save the time of printing papers, keeping track of papers and finding papers. The amount of time saved would benefit the student in their studies of any particular subject.
Among other things, digital applications have allowed for students to become more connected with their fellow students in collaborating on special projects. Student communication and connection with their peers has been made easier with the use of digital devices. For example, students will use email or messaging services to determine meeting times for study sessions or group work.
One of the latest pieces of technology that is starting to be used commonly in the classrooms are iPads. The extraordinary capabilities of iPads have enabled students to become both time efficient and effective. Through a variety of applications and software compatible with the device, students may take notes, organize their assignments, check email accounts, access the Internet and manage their time all at the tip of their fingers. The large access that students have will not only save time and money, but it will also be more efficient.
When we have access to this vast array of a resource, there is no doubt that students would be better equipped to become successful in school.
