My Week Without Digital Technology

by Audra M. Woehle

Schoolwork

      Without computers or other digital technology, schoolwork has changed drastically and has gone back to what it was just decades ago. Without cell phones, it means that students are less likely to be distracted by videos, music, games, social media, or notifications. However, everything else surrounding schoolwork becomes difficult in the absence of current technology.

      With no more working computers, it's a struggle to get schoolwork done since we can no longer use our school-assigned Chromebooks. I imagine that it's even harder for our teachers and other working adults. For many of our classes, our lessons are on websites, meaning that we must learn the material another way, usually through lectures, textbook activities, and worksheets. Though some students prefer it this way, many are having trouble with keeping our paper assignments all together when they could once all be kept on our laptops. Since we can't use word processing softwares that would be on our computers such as Google Docs or Word, we lose time by handwriting our essays. That is, unless someone owns a typewriter. Even then the luxury of the backspace button doesn't exist unless you happen to own some Wite-Out.

Notebook and pencil

      It's worth mentioning how the environment changes with the absence of digital technology. Once, we could store dozens upon dozens of assignments on our computers, meaning that less paper was used for schoolwork, thus meaning less deforestation and a healthier planet. Without our computers, it means the exact opposite.

      Not just the lessons and the environment have changed. If I ever have a question with homework, I can't easily search up the answer online or send an Email to my teacher or knowledgable friends to request help. I can, however, ask my parents for assistance. Even they can't help, I know that I'm determined to find the answer one way or another.