Pro: Teach kids in the classrooms with tech

BY PAMELA KALIDASAN Reporter

When it comes to implementing technology such as tablets in classrooms, the common concern educators have is whether they are aiding students' academic success.

According to a Futuresource industry analyst, 30 million laptops and tablets were bought by American schools in 2019, and parents bought 2.2 million of those products for their kids. This is not something new as technology in classrooms has already been set in the American school system, with computer labs available for students who need them in order to finish their classwork.

And for the most part, there’s no harm done by providing and utilizing tablets in a classroom. In fact, there are more upsides, especially for younger students in elementary, middle school and highschool.

But in a classroom, students can’t always depend on visiting the computer lab to get things done. And that is why it is important for students to have their own device to finish their work, so why not a tablet as there are several benefits.

Those benefits include its portability, the amount of storage it holds for notes and digital textbooks, and the access to 20,000 different types of educational apps.

Between 2011 to 2012, more than 13,700 children in the United States ranging from five-years-old to 18-years-old, received back injuries from

“Cold like fall or winter because I likewearingsweatersandbeing comfy.”

-AshleyAcosta carrying heavy backpacks. And with the increase of tablets, students with backpack-related injuries decreased by 54 percent.

More could be said about the advantages of allowing students to use tablets including narrowing down equity gaps when it comes to outreach inside and outside the classroom settings in terms of student collaborative work and study, supplementing students with better equipment in order to be successful in academic and social settings.

One prime example is Geography elementary school teacher Kristen Paino, who started the Global Book Series originally for her students in New York to have her students be more engaged with Geography. Since then, her students have learned how to use multimedia and learn from other students and educators around the world about their communities.

And as technology keeps rapidly developing, education can’t remain stiff and has to work with change and not be afraid to try new things.

According to LAUSD program and policy specialist Vanessa Morterosa, she said students who are using technology in their classrooms now will be more prepared for the digital economy.

With concerns of students being distracted while using their tablets in the classroom, people working in education must note that the schools who plan on utilizing this technology, should address those concerns to both students and parents on how students should manage time on their devices, and if possible these schools can restrict certain

Con: Table those tablets!

BY ALANA KING Reporter

Deciding on where to go to college is a tough and exciting decision for students. During this process, many students consider attending either a private or public university.

Although the cost of tuition is often higher for private universities than for public ones, one should still consider the advantages of attending a private university, as opposed to a public university.

One benefit of attending a private university is the size of the student population. According to Florida Tech News, the student population at private universities are often smaller than those of public universities. This means class sizes are smaller and more interactive and students can develop stronger connections with their peers.

A smaller student body also allows one to easily network with others and their community, without having too much competition. Socializing and making friends or finding others that share similar interests is also easier and more likely within a smaller student body.

Private universities also tend to have stronger alumni networks, since students are able to form close knit communities. Some alumni will even donate money to the college, which benefits incoming students because there are more opportunities for them to gain scholarships.

At private universities, professors are more readily available. In contrast to public universities, where many classes are taught by graduate assistants, classes at private universities are taught by professors. websites/platforms to purpose their tablets for education only.

Since class sizes are smaller, it is likely that students will have an easier time contacting their professor. Forming meaningful relationships with professors helps students gain new connections and get letters of recommendations.

Although private universities are typically known for their high tuition and fees, many of them are generous with financial aid. According to US News, private institutions tend to offer financial aid that is sometimes more than what is offered by public universities.

The College Board reported that the average financial aid per student at four year public universities was $7,330 for the 2020 - 21 school year, while at private nonprofit universities, the average was $21,660.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology executive director of the PreK-12 initiative and educational researcher Justin Reich said that this is a chance for a fresh start for schools.

This is because private universities are funded by endowments funds and students’ tuition fees, as opposed to the state government. By offering more financial assistance, these universities hope to attract more students to their school and it encourages them to look beyond the “sticker price” and see the reduced costs.

Private institutions are also ideal for students who have a specific interest or major they would like to pursue. Unlike public universities, private universities often offer fewer majors. Yet, some colleges may emphasize certain areas of studies, such as liberal arts, fine arts or STEM. This is beneficial for students who are certain about what they want to study or for those who are interested in majors that are not typically offered at public universities.

“This is our chance for a reboot,” Reich said. “A chance to put learning and vision at the heart of the adoption of a new technology.” pkalidasan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Graduation rates also tend to be higher at private universities than at public ones. The National Center for Education Statistics reported in 2019 that the 6-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time undergraduate students who began seeking a bachelor’s degree at 4-year degree-granting institutions in 2013 was 62 percent at public universities and 68 percent at private nonprofit universities.

When making one’s college decision, it is beneficial to look beyond just the cost of tuition and attendance. The advantages of attending a private university may outweigh or make the higher fees worth it.