Outdated computers negatively affect learning

Technology use in school environments has increased since 2015, but the computer inefficiency prevents students from maximum productivity.
Although Fairfax County Public Schools ensures in their policy that each student has access to reliable technology, according to a recent poll, 64 percent of students at Marshall believe that the current computers’ inefficiency affects their learning. The current digital tools limit activity time as a result of the lengthy log-in process.
74 percent of teachers said they believe Marshall needs more efficient computers to fulfill the education needs of each student.
Marshall plans to institute a computer-per-student program to ensure everyone has access to reliable technology in and out of school, but 64 percent of students find that the current computers require an excess amount of time to log in.
This factor affects students greatly as they can no longer rely on technology as a quick and accessible resource.
Personally, the school computers often limit my time to complete assigned work and class, and I have to log into a different computer, hoping it will take less than five minutes this time.
As of 2017, Marshall has a total of 2,212 computers and 84 mobile laptop carts, but teachers still struggle to find available computers for their classes.
The student-to-computer ratio is 1 student to 1 computer, including all laptops and desktops, but the lack of computers is still a major obstacle for teachers and students both, as the limited availability of computer carts decreases class time for planned activities.
I find that much class time is wasted due to my teachers’ struggle to find available computer carts as well as the additional time it takes for the computer to load.
According to history teacher Roy Wood and other members of the history department, the social studies curriculum will implement an increase in project-based learning, but without new computers, it will be harder to do so. As such, the history department said they believe that Marshall needs more advanced computers.
These digital tools are meant to increase student engagement and accelerate learning, but are doing the opposite.