Increasingly advanced technology has introduced a variety of benefits to its beholders—answers to infinite questions at the tips of their fingers. However, debate has spiraled regarding technology development as the freshmen at Hoffman Estates High School received the most updated version of Apple iPads, which are not compatible with the keyboards currently available.
For this year’s freshmen, typing an extensive essay in English class is restricted to being solely completed on the screen of their iPads. Despite everchanging technological advancements, many teens still prefer typing on keyboards rather than poking at the screen of an iPad.
“It’s easier for me to type on a keyboard,” said Jacob Zielinski, freshman.
Though these new iPads offer a higher quality of functionality which contributes to greater success for students, some members of the freshmen class are questioning the overall improvement. For this year’s freshmen, typing an essay in will be constricted to the screen of an iPad, leaving students discouraged.
“I prefer a keyboard,” said Erkhes Munkhbator, freshman. “It’s easier to type than just using my thumbs on an iPad.”
Although commonly considered old-fashioned and bulky, the preference for keyboards reigns supreme. Nowadays, it’s not as convenient to access computers which leaves the freshmen stranded without a keyboard, dependent on their iPad screen to type.
“We couldn’t loan them keyboards so they have to use their touchscreens or try to find an actual desktop,” said Paul Linse, HEHS tech department. “That could definitely impede their work and ability to do it.”
Technology surrounds us and is constantly evolving and expanding; however, having the most recent software may not always be the best option. When asked if the new updates from their iPads outweigh the inability to connect to the school keyboards, most freshmen students revealed they would still rather have a keyboard opposed to the updates.
Not quite too jealous of the freshmen receiving new iPads, upperclassmen at Hoffman recognize their appreciation for being able to use the school-administered keyboards for various assignments involving a large word count.
“It’s easier having a keyboard,” said Maddie Frank, senior. “I don’t like typing on a screen.”
Every single day, technology becomes more advanced. Too consumed by new updates and various improvements which updated software may have to offer, sometimes the value of the seemingly simplest attributes—such as a keyboard—are neglected.
