As the end of the school year rolls around, many students’ Chromebooks show a lot of wear and tear. While some of that might be due to irresponsible use, a lot of the time, Chromebooks slow down and give students a lot of trouble even without that factor. Many students have complained about their Chrome having battery issues, lagging or shutting off randomly. While it is a privilege for students to be able to have access to their own device, the main factor is that it works well so that students are able to get the full use out of it in order to complete their schoolwork. A lot of times, with the Chromebooks that Park provides now, this has not been the case.

There are many solutions that Park can use to solve these issues. Throughout the school district, many different devices are used. In the elementary schools, it is common for iPads to be used, at the middle school, they use downgraded Chromebooks and at the high school, we have touch screen Chromebooks. While as a school it is amazing to have access to resources like these, we should be able to upgrade them even more. Exploring alternatives or supplementing Chromebooks with other technologies might provide a more comprehensive and reliable learning experience for students. Investing in more durable devices or implementing a stronger replacement program could also help address the problem.

While Chromebooks do meet most of the daily basic tasks students need them for, such as typing and browsing, there are more limitations and differences when compared to other devices. Students interested in graphic design, video editing, designing or coding could find it hard to access the software and tools that other people with more advanced devices have. Especially with Park trying to incorporate more interesting electives, it could be hard to have things like a programming class if there are limited software options you can work with on a Chromebook. This could lead to a digital divide among schools where many students are able to access the advanced technology they need at home, while other students may need to stick to more basic applications.

There were issues going around with the Chromebooks this year regarding faulty batteries. Students would get an email and need to turn their Chromebook in at the media center in exchange for a downgraded Chrome that was laggy and did not have a touchscreen. This created differences in the technology that different students had at our school. The best option for Park would be to explore different computers to see which one would be the most beneficial for students who meet all the requirements and could help students achieve as much as they can.

As the curriculum gets more advanced, assignments change, and people rely more and more on technology. Chromebooks are getting incorporated into schools for even more things like multimedia projects, online work or collaborative online activities. While Chromebooks can handle some of these tasks, they often struggle with certain websites or more complex projects, which can lead to frustrations among both students and teachers as they attempt to work around the limitations of the devices. By providing more capable devices, we can provide students with an even more engaging learning experience. This would also allow students to explore their interests more deeply and develop more skills, especially revolving around technology.

Technology can be expensive, so Park would need to make room in their budget in order to afford better devices for students. In order to do this, Park could review the current budget and see if there is anything that may be unnecessary to spend on, like subscriptions, transportation, or facility maintenance. They could also talk to different vendors and find deals on bulk orders of new devices along with selling old Chromebooks if possible to make more of a profit. Finally, Park could fundraise or find other ways to get the community to help out.

Overall, while Chromebooks offer an affordable entry point, their limitations may ultimately outweigh their benefits in the context of Park technology. The best option would be to explore new device options, get more student voices on the matter and make sure that students are not limited in what they can achieve. By investing in more advanced devices for students, Park can demonstrate a commitment to providing students with the resources they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.