Chromebooks started making their mark in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced FCPS to switch to virtual learning and start the FCPS1to1 initiative, which supplied every student with a Chromebook computer and a charger. Ever since, they have been a staple in the school environment for both teachers and students.
Despite the success of the program in supplying every student with a computer, some teachers and administrators remain divided over how distracting they can ultimately be to students while in class. “Can they disrupt class? If somebody’s [misusing] them…yeah, [it] disrupts instruction,” said Principal Jim Raines. While the Chromebooks can provide easy access to digital school resources, such as Schoology, students can also access game websites just as easily by circumventing the blocks on certain websites. Senior Addison Chau said, “…If you’re on your phone too much and you get called out in class, then they’re gonna go [on] their chromebook…and find [ways] around blocked websites.”
According to a recent school survey of the student body that had 64 respondents, 31 percent reported seeing a student in class get distracted by a Chromebook at some point. 37 percent of students see Chromebooks as a potential distraction in the school environment, while 12 percent think they are distracting. This does not mean that Chromebooks are always bad, though. “I think we should have [chromebooks],” math teacher Paul Renolds said, “…your generation has to learn to function that way completely [with electronics].”
Ultimately, the use of the Chromebook will more than likely remain. Raines thinks that, despite the potential for Chromebooks to be distracting, they are a good tool for education. Also, while it is true that there are cases of students and classes getting distracted from chromebooks, most respondents (69 percent) did not see a Chromebook distract students and interrupt class, and 50 percent of respondents do not think a Chromebook can interfere with a student’s ability to learn and follow instructions while in class. “I think [they’re] used effectively…For the most part, as I go around the classrooms, I think there’s a good balance [between the] use of chromebooks and not,” said Raines.
