Teachers Transitioning from Paper to Online

: Many Freedom High School students walk to and from school everyday. Some students can walk up to 30 minutes each way which can tire someone if they are carrying too much weight.

: Multiple binders a day can weigh down a student throughout their day and distract from their learning.

: Binders can accumulate papers quickly while still fitting in binders leaving students carrying a multitude of weight.

Paper is a tool that most people use on a daily basis, but is there an alternate option?

Students at Freedom High School are becoming a part of a change by transitioning to electronic learning, which is not only getting rid of binders, but also modifying the weight of their backpacks.

FHS science teacher Kevin Cabaniss is making the change to relying on technology. Google Classroom helps ensure students never lose their projects. Cabaniss is in favor of how assignments are right where they can always see it.

“Students don’t risk losing things as much as long as they have their phone, tablet or laptop,” Cabaniss said. “They can always find their assignment.”

Freshman Miriam McClure believes projects and online assignments can be more exciting and productive because the information is easily attainable. She claims that notes would be easier to complete on paper, so that information would be easier to retain.

“Sometimes if it’s paper, like writing out an essay, I’d rather do an essay

nline,” McClure said. “I’d rather have a balance between writing on paper and online.”

Electronics are an integral part of online classes. Most students carry a laptop to achieve the most out of each class. This is normal for Cabaniss’ students.

“My students know to come in, open their laptop and go to Google Classroom,” Cabaniss said.

Having a laptop to carry around rather than binders is preferable to McClure.

“As the year progresses, the paper can accumulate and it gets heavier for your backpack,” McClure said.

Students who don’t have laptops must check one out at the library before class starts, but there are no enough for everyone McClure said.

“On average, sixth graders in the study were carrying backpacks weighting 18.4 pounds,” according to a study by Consumer Report.

An Apple MacBook Pro weighs 3.02 pounds. The weight of a laptop is minimal compared to the weight of binders filled papers.

According to Dr. Shannon Price, a pediatrician at South Riding Pediatrics, it is essential for students to change their long term habits and put less weight in backpacks.

“The weight should not exceed 10-15% of the student’s body weight,” Price said. “Packs should have padded strips which are both worn. If not, it will lead to the shifting of hips and shoulders which will lead to muscle pain.”

Electronic teaching is becoming more common and making its way into many classrooms.