To combat online distractions and cheating, an increasing number of classes have instituted Chromebook requirements for in-class work and assessments.

In an opt-in Schoology survey conducted by The Campanile on Aug. 30, 93.3% of 45 respondents said they had at least one class that required Chromebook usage, and 51.1% of respondents said three or more of their classes required Chromebooks. As a result, many students who choose to use their personal devices such as Apple or PC laptops must now also bring their Chromebooks.

In light of these new policies, The Campanile urges teachers teaching the same class to agree on and implement a standardized Chromebook policy. If students are taking the same course, they should all be subjected to the same technology requirements to avoid subjectivity due to inconsistent standards.

In addition to standardization, we advocate for minimal required Chromebook use since bringing two devices to school is an unnecessary hassle. For routine in-class assignments, a Chromebook requirement is inefficient. Applications from Adobe Creative Cloud and video editing software are difficult or impossible to install on Chromebooks but are incredibly useful for creative projects.

In addition, some classes have to modify their curriculum since some applications are blocked on Chromebooks. The Campanile thinks Chromebooks are slower and more prone to technological issues than personal devices, causing unnecessary class delays.

That said, The Campanile does recognize the value of requiring Chromebooks for digital tests, particularly the Lockdown Browser application, which is an effective solution for cheating. Transitioning back to paper tests seems counterproductive as many standardized tests, including essay-intensive AP tests, are slowly shifting toward digital formats.

So to find a compromise that balances allowing students to use their own devices when needed with digital assignment integrity, The Campanile proposes two alternatives.

The best alternative would be for classes to adopt classroom Chromebook carts for students to check out for in-class assessments. Students who do not have access to a personal device or prefer to use a Chromebook would still be able to check one out.

However, for students who primarily rely on their personal devices, school-provided Chromebooks often sit unused at home. By reclaiming these devices, the school should have enough to provide shared carts to meet teacher demand. A cart system would ensure Chromebooks are available when needed without unnecessarily encumbering students who prefer to use personal devices.