In Middle School, 6th graders are using more technology in classes than past years to help the environment and facilitate work.

The use of technology helps the 6th grade students and their teachers to be more organized, work easier, faster and have the opportunity to work more efficiently in and outside of class.  

“Using less paper is better for the environment, offers a lot better ways for students to keep organize and it’s harder to loose paper. When they collaborate in works/projects it´s easier for them because each one of them can work at home or alone,” Brian Prevatte, 6th grade science teacher said.

The internet is a great benefit for students to research any questions that, in the past,  they would have gone directly to the teacher about. In addition, the internet makes it possible for students to see lessons outside of the classroom.

“It facilitates my work because kids can find anything on the web. If a student misses class, he can see the lesson on the internet,” Prevatte said.

Students also like the benefits of using the  internet and technology like Schoology to improve their learning.

“ I like it because it’s easier for me.  I can be more organized and we can search many questions if we have doubts about our answers,” Tomás Castro, 6th grader, said.

Another advantage for teachers is that using electronic devices makes it easier to help students revise their work and give instructions, projects, worksheets and other activities. For students, the advantage is they can see all the assignments the teacher posts and other topics the teacher wants them to research.

“I like using the video bean and computers to project everything and using videos and online articles. Also, students like to do their final drafts for writing, searching for information on databases and following along with whatever I am teaching,”  Veronica Armstrong, 6th grade English teacher, said.

In addition to being more productive and organized, using technology helps students and teachers focus on protecting the environment by saving paper and energy.

“I feel really good because the school helps in protecting the environment,” Esteban Botero, 6th grader, said.

In the 21st century, technology in education has become common as electronic devices eliminate paper and social media assists in learning. 

According to education writer Janelle Cox, “As we sail through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming more and more predominant. Tablets are replacing our textbooks, and we can research just about anything that we want to on our smartphones. Social media has become commonplace, and the way we use technology has completely transformed the way we live our lives.”