Teaching has advanced as technology has advanced. For example, Jesuit purchased iPads for every student. Usually, we have a choice when it comes to change, but we didn’t last year. One change students are noticing: more iPads.

Not only did the students learn more about the iPads, the teachers did as well. Spending all that time online forced everyone to get more comfortable with the iPads. This made some teachers want to use the iPads more, and some less. 

Creating a community over zoom was difficult for many teachers, so many tried using the iPads differently to keep their students engaged. 

“I really miss building community in class, I would do a lot of that. So, I tried to find digital ways to do that,” said teacher John Yanosy.

Many of these methods include ways for the student to participate in real time, so teachers can give feedback during class.

Senior Charlize Silao appreciated the teacher’s use of interactive tools.

“I liked hearing feedback over zoom,” said senior Charlize Silao.

Senior Jackson Bui likes when the teacher mixes it up.

“Using different programs made things more interesting,” said senior Jackson Bui.

Teachers are bringing these new skills back to the classroom, here are a few: 

Nearpod is a program that allows teachers to make self-paced slideshows, so students can look at presentations on or off zoom. Edpuzzle allows teachers to embed questions into videos. These are great for assignments because videos are often more engaging. Whiteboard.fi is basically a whiteboard on an iPad, except teachers can see student’s work in real time. Over zoom these tools had many uses, but now we are no longer forced to make these changes. 

Teachers have a choice whether to adopt these tools, or use more traditional methods. Some students would prefer to use the iPads more, and some would prefer to use them less. 

Senior Charlize Silao would prefer to use less iPads.

“I like doing things face to face,” said senior Charlize Silao.

Senior Jackson Bui thinks iPads can contribute to learning.

“I think iPads are a great way to make school more interactive,” said senior Jackson Bui.

These tools can provide alternatives to traditional homework methods, such as worksheets or packets. This can make the homework load more manageable for students, which has seen a sharp increase since the previous year. This is because of the transition from the block schedule back to the regular schedule.

“I think it is important for students to have different ways of learning, so I’m trying to teach in different ways,” said teacher Christina Barry.

COVID-19 taught everyone how to adapt, which is important because we won’t always have control. In the end, every class is different and it should be up to our teachers to decide how to proceed.