BPHS responds to addition of Chromebooks

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Leslie Folino

Senior Brendan Todd contemplates the essence of the Chromebook.

Technology is everywhere: in stores, in homes, and now, in school.

Bethel Park has stepped into a new era of electronic use. Google Chromebooks have been added to the list of necessities students have to have. Chromebooks were integrated into the high school for students’ use at home and in classes.

IMS had the chance to combine the personal laptops into classrooms last year, and now, BPHS has the opportunity. Since the distribution day, students and faculty have been testing and experimenting with the technology.

Thus, the Chromebooks have been met with different opinions about them.

“The Chromebooks actually give you an opportunity to be caught up and get more work done in school,” said sophomore Mia Bastolla. “Now that you have a Chromebook, you don’t have to wait until the next day to finish a project…”

English 9 Honors teacher Miss Falce said, “I think they provide an excellent opportunity for new ways for teachers to deliver content and curriculum.”

These positive responses about the laptops were rebuked by a freshman who said, “They’re a lot of money for something slow and hard to use. And, they’re heavy and clunky.”

“…People aren’t able to use them properly,” said freshman, Julianne Stein. “They break the screens, and foods and drink get into them.”

Bethel Park students have the internet available right at their fingertips. Some people appreciate this fact, while others think about how slow that internet might be; it depends on the person.

There are definitely good and bad things about the Chromebooks. But either way, teachers throughout the school will surely be mixing the laptops into their classrooms.