Digital Meets Ink

Why both paper and paperless classes are good for your education

By: Chandra Baviera

Coming from a background where I learned how to write letters on paper, and then how to make slideshows on Google Slides, I certainly came to appreciate technology from a young age. In either format—paper or digital—adapting to new techniques has led to some of today’s most successful careers. A published work starts with only an idea. 

In today’s schools, students either succeed easily or get distracted. Indeed, screens promote efficiency. Technology has led to easier collaboration between students by way of academic resources and social media. Demands made by educators in institutions are delivered at rapid speeds thanks to high-speed WiFi. Applications and homework create a well-rounded learning environment. Teachers can reach students through video calls or recordings, where the most important points of the lesson can be replayed. To be sure, the ability to engage students with technology is compelling due to its instant results.

Paper was invented by the Chinese Han dynasty, and the material has made official documents such as the Declaration of Independence possible. Paper provides a standard form in writing.

Focusing on the different learning styles, classes should be paperless if there are hands-on learning experiences that can be integrated with technology. For example, if science labs were online, there would be more opportunities for scientists to work more imaginatively. Mathematics and material sciences would work best on tech because of the continued need to adjust calculations and formulas. Highly developed apps can have the option of going “off the page” with the extended space a typical piece of paper wouldn’t have. However, classes with more reading and writing, such as English and history, should have notes and homework on paper for a more detailed understanding of dates and events. All in all, whether you are an analogue or a digital note taker, you can succeed in your educational journey either way.