With technology evolving, many classes have taken advantage of incorporating technology into teaching and learning. For students to learn, it feels like know they need to have computers. While the school provides Chromebooks to students for free, some students have opted to bring in and use their personal computers to get work done.
“I use my MacBook, because I personally think it’s easier for me,” Ajla Nukic (12) said. “It’s a lot more organized, and I feel like it just works faster than my Chromebook.”
Daniel McNulty, a specialist who works in the 1-2-1 room at Oakville, admitted that the school’s Chromebooks are not the best computers.
“I think most of the Chromebooks are fairly similar in terms of specs,” McNulty said, “but they’re always going to be kind of on the lower end.”
Nukic has had some issues with working on a school Chromebook.
“When I got the regular one,” Nukic said, “it was really slow and really bad, and I feel like it made it difficult to do my work most of the time.”
When using a personal computer, a student might have browsing freedom, but it can be slightly harder to get certain tasks done.
“Sometimes teachers will have stuff that’s blocked unless you have the MSD (Mehlville School District) computer,” Nukic said, “so I have to ask for access for mine, even if I’m using my school login.”
Phoebe Reel (11) has had similar issues with her Chromebook, but still uses it at school, even when she has her own computer at home.
“I still use my school Chromebook because it’s provided by the school, so I feel like I have to use it at school,” Reel said.
Reel has also had various issues with Chromebooks in the past.
“My old computer just randomly stopped working, and I had to go to the IT guy,” Reel said, “and he was like, ‘oh, this happens all the time.’”
When she is at home, however, Reel uses her personal computer.
“When I use my personal computer, it’s a lot faster and I feel like I get work done,” Reel said. “It’s also the fact that not everything is blocked, like everything is blocked on my school computer.”
Despite the various issues, Reel doesn’t believe that the school Chromebooks will be upgraded anytime soon.
“There’s so many kids at this school,” Reel said, “they can’t just buy everyone MacBooks.”
Even with the potential for running slower or experiencing other issues, McNulty believes that students don’t use their Chromebooks because it’s simply not like their personal computer.
“Whenever it’s your personal device, it’s personal to you,” McNulty said, “so you’re more comfortable using it… just, I think, comfort of using your own personal device.”
