Freshman Santiago Coronado works on a math assignment during Mrs. Piehl’s class Oct. 1. In this class, students frequently use paper assignments to show their work and understanding of the topics discussed in class. (Ethan Buss)

Online schoolwork is taking over schools worldwide – and for a good reason. It’s convenient, accessible and provides a wealth of resources and knowledge that’s just a click away. However, there are many reasons why using good-old-fashioned paper and pencil is much more beneficial to students, from increased focus and memorization advantages to better eye and brain health. 

Prolonged computer use can have detrimental effects on your health. According to Harvard Medical School, the blue light from screens can disrupt sleep patterns, which are crucial for teenagers. The unnatural brain simulation may also lead to problems with memory and concentration, as well as increased cortisol levels, resulting in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Another possible effect that comes from staring at a screen is a condition called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchy and sore eyes, blurry vision and headaches. Taking occasional breaks from the computer and using paper for assignments instead of working on the computer can reduce potential eye strain and keep your brain healthy and rested.

There are many mental advantages to using paper for assignments as well. It’s proven that writing by hand, due to the increased cognitive effort that it takes to do so, can lead to deeper processing of information, stronger understanding of concepts, advanced recall and memory benefits. These skills are essential for students who are aiming to enhance their learning and memorize complex topics.

Another valuable factor that can affect students when using online work instead of paper is accessibility. Paper levels the playing field that ensures everyone can complete their work with just a pencil and worksheet, without worrying about slow internet, technology problems and access to their Chromebooks and wifi at home. You can complete paperwork anywhere, at any time. By relying less on technology, both students and teachers avoid the frustration of glitches and instead focus on what truly matters: learning itself. 

A potential drawback that comes with working on the computer is the increased temptation to use resources such as AI, grammar checkers, plagiarize the work of other students or internet users and the many different academic crutches that can be found online. Relying entirely on these resources can be dangerous for students, as they stunt creativity, learning and originality. These are crucial traits that can set you apart from other students academically. Taking a step back from these programs and using paper for assignments can eliminate that temptation, encourage brain usage and force you to become a sharper and more equipped scholar – and it’s never a bad idea to be academically honest.

Freshman Gavin Hagen does an assignment on a computer in the school’s photography led by Mr. VanDenEinde’s class Oct 1. His students utilize their computers to complete work on Adobe In Design, Illustrator and Photoshop. (Ethan Buss)

The benefits of online schoolwork are apparent as it grows increasingly more popular around the world. With all of its easily accessible resources, online work moves us beyond traditional paperwork, which can be inconvenient and dated in comparison. Online work is readily available, provides environmental benefits and helps build useful skills that will be beneficial in the increasingly tech-based societies around the world.

Online work is overall more accessible than paper work because of its portability and advanced methods of communication. For this reason, online work can be accessed from anywhere that has an internet connection. If a student is unable to go to a class, they are still capable of completing an online assignment on time by accessing their work from home. This saves them from unnecessary stress and having to catch up like they would with paperwork. All of your online work is in one concise and organized device, unlike paperwork which is more difficult to keep track of. It is also easier for students to collaborate with others outside of class. Email is accessible to everyone, and it is much more convenient to work on online shared documents than to have to work together as you would with paper work physically.

Online work also benefits the environment. All of the paper that students use in worksheets and notebooks adds up, resulting in schools being a highly significant consumer of paper. This high demand for paper in schools results in deforestation through timber farming. Deforestation is one of the largest contributors to climate change around the world, resulting in problems like habitat loss for animals, global warming because of the loss of trees that are able to absorb CO2 and countless other environmental concerns. According to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, 31.4% of the waste that is produced by schools is from paper. This problem has a straightforward solution: switching from paperwork to online work. With this change, the demand for paper will lessen, helping to reduce deforestation and climate change.

Using online work in school also teaches students skills that will be helpful in the growing tech-based world. Learning how to troubleshoot tech-based problems while you are still in school will provide students who are given online work an advantage in their post-secondary life. Students who work online will learn how to navigate tools such as Google Docs, email and learning platforms like Schoology, which will benefit them later on. Research skills are also taught on computers in schools, helping students learn to find credible sources, which is a valuable strength that will be used in post-secondary education. Doing online work throughout a student’s education will also teach them typing skills, which are critical in the majority of jobs today. Overall, the skills that a student learns from online work will help them throughout their life after high school. 

In conclusion, paperwork is beginning to feel outdated while online work is rightfully taking over as the superior method of learning. Online work’s accessibility and convenience, sustainability and teaching of valuable skills make it the learning style that should be used in all schools. By working online, students will be able to achieve great things academically, improve school systems and allow us to progress as a society.