Over the last few years, Antioch Community High School increased the amount of technology used in classrooms by providing students with iPads, iPods, Chromebooks and two new Mac labs. The increase in technology allows for students and ACHS to move toward a one-to-one model.

This year, some teachers are using various Google Education products, such as Classroom, for assignments. Both the English and social studies departments have taken to using Google Drive as an opportunity to help students get more organized with technology, as well as encourage digital publishing. The world languages department uses translation software and audicity to promote proficiency in language acquisition. Math and science are also using devices for more collaboration and enriched learning experiences. Fine arts and CTE are also using new technologies like the Adobe Creative Suite and iLife Suite to enhance their curriculum.

Junior Samantha Brands thinks that more technology may lead to distraction in students.

“[Students] won’t be doing what they have to,” said Brands.

Additionally, with the inclusion of more technology, the technology support department has become more lenient with the filter on the Wi-Fi.

Junior Charles Taylor also shares the same viewpoints as Brands. He believes that students’ work is divided equally between paper and technology. Drive, teachers are able to share and grade documents right from their browsers. On the flip side, students are able to organize, collaborate and keep track of their assignments.

Google Drive is a powerful platform with many features, but students may not know how to use it.

“There should be a class with technology that will teach you how to use it,” said junior Alex Zawistowski.

This class, he explained, would teach students how technology works and how to use it. This type of class could be helpful for those who are having trouble using the Chromebooks, Google products or iPads, and could expose more students to the power of current day technology.

Both Brands and Taylor feel that a tech literacy class should be required in the coming years to help with the changes in tech. Only time will tell if administration agrees with them.