<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3YUCAA_1FI3jPDb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3YUCAA_1FI3jPDb00" width="1200" height="900" ><figcaption>Abby Arellano</figcaption></figure>School-issued Chromebooks are meant to make schoolwork easier and act as a key tool in our learning. It often feels like the opposite. Websites and applications that students regularly use, such as YouTube and personal Gmail accounts, have been restricted by the San Diego Unified School District. Additionally, computers can be painfully slow, making basic tasks require much more time than they should.While some restrictions may be necessary to keep students focused, such as blocking game websites or other distractions, many useful resources have also been restricted. Although the Chromebook was always a struggle to operate, this year has felt especiallydifficult as more websites and applications have been blocked, the computers have become slower and less reliable due to new wifi installations, and the devices can break from everyday use.“Personally, I feel very frustrated that the school system has blocked so many important websites. Just last week, I was trying to finish an assignment, and my computer wasn’t allowing me to research the topic properly, saying the site I was trying to use was blocked,” said Junior Isabella Wood. In addition, many teachers use Blocksi, a filtering system that allows teachers to limit students’ access to particular websites.While many blocked sites are games or contain inappropriate material, some educational resources are also inaccessible. One example is YouTube. Many teachers assign videos as part of homework or classwork, yet students are often unable to access them on school devices. “Many teachers, as well as students, use YouTube to do assignments, study, and show videos in class. In my sophomore year, websites such as those played an important role in helping me study. And now that privilege is gone,” said Wood. Harmless websites are unreasonably blocked, making it frustrating for many students.Another complaint is the Chromebooks’ severe lack of speed and technical reliability. Beyond the frustration of web restrictions, the physical hardware of these devices struggles to handle basic daily tasks.Long load times, random screen freezes, and lagging inputs disrupt the flow of schoolwork, forcing students to waste valuable time waiting for their device to respond. “I really dislike my Chromebook. When I’m doing classwork or homework online, it’s so irritating when I have to wait so long for websites to load, or when the screen freezes while I’m typing. I am considering purchasing a MacBook, but they are costly and a large investment,” said Junior Drew Brogowicz. This also does not achieve the goal of equitable education because students without the financial ability to purchase a non-district-issued device are at a disadvantage. When simple tasks such as typing notes or submitting an assignment turn into a long wait, students are left feeling annoyed before they can even complete their work.The short lifespan of school Chromebooks is also a major issue, as they often become both slower and more unreliable over time. According to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, “The technology’s short lifespan leaves schools in a difficult position as they watch their laptops fail, resulting in piles of electronic waste and ‘saddling schools with additional costs,’ ” (districtadministration.com).Having to constantly return to the library to check out a new computer when it suddenly stops working can leave students feeling exhausted. Senior Eva Sipe said, “My school Chromebook breaks down almost once a month; I am always finding myself going to the Media Center to get it fixed. I wish the computer was more durable and didn’t break or glitch often.” Schools should invest in computers that can not only last longer but can also consistently support students throughout their education.San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Chromebooks are intended to support education, but aggressive website filtering, sluggish performance, and limited access to learning resources often have the opposite effect. If SDUSD wants students to succeed, they should carefully reconsider unnecessary restrictions and ensure that the devices students depend on are efficient, reliable, and effective learning tools.</div></body>

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School-issued Chromebooks are meant to make schoolwork easier and act as a key tool in our learning. It often feels like the opposite. Websites and applications that students regularly use, such as YouTube and personal Gmail accounts, have been restricted by the San Diego Unified School District. Additionally, computers can be painfully slow, making basic tasks require much more time than they should.

Chromebook Access Limited by SDUSD

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School-issued Chromebooks are meant to make schoolwork easier and act as a key tool in our learning. It often feels like the opposite. Websites and applica

Chromebook Access Limited by SDUSD

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