Schools are adopting more modern methods of teaching, which is why budget-friendly laptops are a hit especially since schools will need a lot to accommodate all students. It came as a disappointment to educators when one reliable model, the Chromebook, has made changes that made it useless quickly.
Chromebooks Aren't Cost-Friendly Anymore
Chromebooks used to be cheaper than most models, all while providing the functions that are needed for effective learning. However, the device has since gone up in price in the last four years, making it less and less suitable for mass use.
What's more, users claim that the Chromebook needs constant repairs, making it more expensive in the long run. The alternative would be buying a laptop with a longer lifespan and better durability, but it will likely cost significantly more.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Google has also imposed an expiration date for the device, which is not a usual thing for most devices. This means that the Chromebooks become obsolete sooner, even though the hardware is still more than capable of running.
This 2023, Google is already cutting support for 13 models, more so in the next year with 51 models. According to the public-interest research group US PIRG, doubling the lifespan of the devices would save public schools and taxpayers around $1.8 billion.
The Chromebooks became more in demand during the pandemic, especially when students were not allowed to attend face-to-face learning just yet. The Google laptops released before 2020 had a five-year lifespan, meaning that the devices have only a good two years left.
Compared to other PCs, they can still be used even after they're no longer updated. Chromebooks, on the other hand, have a "hard stop," according to the technology director for Washington State's South Kitsap School District Derry Lyons.
ChromeOS product manager Forrest Smith said that expiration dates correspond to manufacturer support for hardware components inside the laptops and that they aren't arbitrary. The problem is that the dates are not advertised upon purchase.
Are Laptops in Classrooms Helpful
The laptops having a short lifespan are not the sole issue. There's also the question of whether having laptops actually helps with education. In a lot of ways, it does. The device provides visual aids and quick access to information needed to learn.
That depends on whether the laptop uses tools that are related to the curriculum or study materials. Otherwise, students might just be more distracted. If it has access to the internet to search for needed information, then it may also provide access or social networking sites.
A study, according to the Washington University in St. Louis, found that students found the presence of devices distracting. It urges them to "engage in activities such as texting or online social networking.
Lower levels of engagement and learning have been found in classes that permit laptop use even if they were not required in the class. In a way, it can be good news for schools since they won't have to spend more on devices that could interfere with the learning process.
