The older generation sometimes views this generation as having grown too accustomed to more advanced technologies, such as cell phones, computers and other devices. They see students as being always looking down at phones and listening to music, texting friends, and using online resources for education rather than that old- fashioned way of physically opening a book and turning a page and using a thin piece of whatever to mark that place you left off.  

Some would be surprised by polls and statistics which say that students in school prefer the really thinned out dead pieces of wood that you can sit and read for hours on end. Yep, some polls from Campus Technology and Los Angeles Times show that 72% to 92% of students from various colleges prefer books rather than a computer or e-book. Some people even like the smell of books.

A disadvantage of books is that they use wood, which is not environmentally responsible and therefore computers could be seen as a better way, but the disadvantage for computers would be that staring and reading something on a screen for long periods of time can potentially ruin your eyesight.

Librarian Steve Trunkey believes: “A plus of using an online textbook is not having the wear and tear.” Print textbooks do overtime when students use them repeatedly in that textbook’s lifetime. Online textbooks would be very helpful for the district because they would not have to pay for the repair or replacement of textbooks.

Another feature of using an online textbook, said Trunkey, is that “A lot of features not available on books such as highlighting without it affecting another student.”

Trunkey also shared his concern that “The downside of screen time is it’s not very healthy for a human being to stare at a screen for a long period of time.” Staring at a screen for two hours or more can result in CVS or Computer Vision Syndrome which makes your eyes feel uncomfortable from the eyestrain, according to WebMD.

There is a movie called “Screenagers”, that looks deeply into the impact of kids with technology and how adults combat the challenges presented by the newly given problems of a new generation born with more advanced technologies. The movie is going to be played at CKHS on the 22nd of April, the senior make-up day.