Priya Pindiprolu
The school’s bad Wifi is not a new topic to many students. On a daily basis, students use electronics in class or in the library, as a requirement for many classes. In a society where the use of electronic devices are so prevalent, how are students expected to do their work, when they can’t access anything online, due to subpar WiFi connection?
The school has continued to try and improve the Wifi, slightly at the East. In the commons, there is finally Wifi, but only one bar. This is an improvement from last year, when all students were asked to turn off Wifi while at school, because the amount of people accessing the school’s Wifi caused the internet to crash, on many occasions. But, even without access to WiFi, there is no service in the commons, so the one place in school where students are allowed to use phones, will not let you access any internet. But somehow, there is service and WiFi in the library and other classrooms, on the second and third floors. So what’s to stop students from using their phones while in class, if it is the only place that you can use them, during school day?
During school, students use chromebooks all the time. Specifically in classes like english and science. In English teachers assign work days, to work on essays. Most days, half the students can’t type a single word because they spend the class attempting to connect to the Wifi. In more classes, google classroom is becoming a focal point of class. In science classes, labs are being completed on classroom. Also, in the LOTE department, students are asked to take quizzes and complete numerous projects on google Classroom.
Freshman Valerie Xu Friedman says, “ I don’t mind the WiFi, but it could be greatly improved.”
Sophomore Nicky Lazarov says, “In different classrooms the WiFi doesn’t work, limiting the amount of time we have to work each day in class.” This is a valid point, if students can’t use modern ways of creating and turning in projects, then what is the point of using google docs and classroom. Yes, there are some benefits to using google docs and classroom, but why is there a need to have an assignment due at 11:59 PM, rather than turning it in during class? But is the real problem not pertaining to little accessibility of WiFi, or is it that students are too dependent on WiFi and their phones? It is no shock that students use their phones for everything. If the resources are easy to attain, then why not use them. For example, in Spanish class students use google translate or spanishdictionary.com to complete worksheets. For quick cramming for tests, internet allows us to research quick facts. Either students need to learn to depend less on smartphones for everything, or the school’s WiFi needs to catch up to us.
