The argument between paper and digital assignments and assessments has become more prominent with the arisal of Covid-19. Because of the pandemic, students were reduced to online learning and many educators believe it is the future of learning. However, although online learning may be more convenient it is not necessarily beneficial to the future of learning. Although paper work has proven to be better than digital, sometimes digital is the most practical and should therefore still be used. By using paper for exams, classwork and homework learning overall is improved. Paper learning prevents cheating, improves test scores and overall is better for students learning.
On both digital assessments and assignments, cheating is much more likely to happen. Cheating is a widespread issue among students in general, but online learning allows much more opportunity for cheating. Online learning allows full access to the internet on academics. According to an analysis by Science Direct cheating is much more notable with online learning due to the easy internet access. Cheating has been a noteworthy problem since the 1900s however it has increased as technology advances and is used more frequently in schools. As stated by SHS News, cheating among students has greatly increased due to the arisal of the digital age. Because of the easy access to cheating on academics, online learning should be limited.
Along with the prevention of cheating, paper assessments lead to higher test scores. Paper assignments and assessments have been proven to score higher than online ones. Future Ed states that a study shows students doing better on paper assessments than online ones. Paper tests, specifically reading portions, are much easier to access during testing than online ones. A booklet or packet that is able to be referred to throughout the test is better for timing and comprehension purposes when compared to the screen and scrollbar that must be manipulated within online tests. This formatting difference has an effect on test scores, proving that paper assessments are better. Even with math tests, paper tests allow both the question, demonstrated work and answer to be all on the same page which saves time. It is also easier to comprehend the questions when they are on paper. Testing overall should be kept to paper for the purpose of raising scores.
Paper learning is better for students learning in general. Paper learning increases academic performance. It is proven that people overall understand printed text better than writing off a computer as well as retaining more information. As stated by Pro Health SYS, one of the best ways to retain and learn information is to rewrite your notes by hand. It is said to be because putting pen to paper stimulates kinesthetic feedback and the brain. It is proven that people learn more when they physically perform actions with the material to engage the brain. Paper learning is also less distracting which leads to greater focus. With full access to the internet, it is tempting to become sidetracked from work. Stimulus such as social media, online shopping, tv networks and more can cause students to become easily distracted from their work, especially when it is not as enticing to spend time on. By using paper assignments and assessments there is more focus on the task at hand and it gets done much more efficiently. Using paper work is overall greater than doing schoolwork online.
Paper learning may be better for students, but online learning is occasionally more practical. For example, writing assignments and assessments should be kept on the computer. There are benefits to both paper and online assessments and assignments. Including that by doing work on paper cheating is reduced, test scores improved and overall learning and information retention is benefitted. Therefore, a combination of both paper and online learning should be the future of academics. As the world continues to grow away from the effects of the pandemic, the intense use of online assessments and assignments should also be strayed away from but not unused completely.
Many educators seem to believe that online learning is the future of education. Based on the continuation of technological advances, online learning continues to be used more. Online learning is much more practical in today’s world. Online learning is easier to grade and results come in much faster. Faster results coming in allows for students to learn much faster based on what they missed. Online assignments also allow for more collaboration. It is much easier to communicate amongst teachers and students with online learning. Although online learning does have benefits, it is significantly better for students to work on paper. There is no doubt that teachers benefit from online learning because it reduces their amount of grading, saves costs, and more however the benefit of the students should be the priority. Paper learning is better for students and online learning should not continue to be supplemented in schools entirely.
