During the 2020-2021 school year, students and staff were forced to work electronically, as we relied on our devices as a constant amidst distance and hybrid learning. Now that we are back fully in-person, it is illogical to continue working electronically, as we have the facilities to do in-person assignments.

Unless we have been quarantined or are in an online-based course, working electronically is a burden for both students and staff, as in-person assignments are more efficient and straightforward. Staff need to constantly update courses with assignments alongside handing out paper-based assignments. Unless a student is quarantined, online assignments serve no purpose, as most of the time it can be done without a device.

The constant switch between electronic and paper assignments during in-person learning messes up my flow and reduces my productivity, as I find myself idling and off-track. Combined with six IB classes, it becomes excessive at times. 

As we adjust to full in-person learning, it is essential to assign more paper assignments. Continuing electronic-based assignments has made it hard for myself and other students to focus on paper assignments, and I tend to throw them away. Teachers can assist by giving both types of work, but encourage paper-based assignments.

Paper-based assignments would be a good break from devices, because during distance learning, they created excessive fatigue due to increased screen time. Personally, the excess screentime exhausted me and wasn’t sustainable long-term.

A solution to this issue is to have a set amount of work that is computer based and a set amount that is paper based for those who are still struggling to adjust to in-person learning. Not only does this allow for students to gradually shift into solely paper-based assignments, students can opt to work on different platforms if they feel the need be.

Although computers are an important part of our education, we shouldn’t be relying on them during in-person learning. Staff should be encouraging more paper-based assignments to better adjust students and help them create a routine. Bringing back normalcy should be prioritized, and that starts with going back to paper based assignments.