With the learning environment directed towards more BYOD technology, school systems are emphasizing lowering printing costs, which helps the budget and the environment. Many teachers and students, however, prefer paper-integrated learning over a screen.

Is the old-fashioned paper method of learning more effective? I think so, and studies about learning support my conviction.

In a 2013 study performed by Pam Mueller of Princeton University and Daniel Oppenheimer of UCLA Los Angeles, students who took notes on pen and paper could better answer questions on tests.

The results revealed, “In three studies, we found that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand. We show that whereas taking more notes can be beneficial, laptop note takers’ tendency to transcribe lectures verbatim rather than processing information and reframing it in their own words is detrimental to learning.”

Mr. Tony Miller, social studies teacher, agrees with the findings. In his experience with tests, he said, “Students with paper tend to do better than those who use phones. I’ve noticed this for almost every class for the past two years.”

Storage, speed of connection, and learning apps have improved, making it easier for students to reach for a tablet or a phone rather than pencil and paper, but the UCLA study shows how young minds are negatively impacted by the dramatic increase of learning through a screen instead of by paper.

Learning without technology could also influence how we perceive each other’s feelings.

In a 2014 study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, students were split into two groups for five days; one learned in Pali Institute, where electronics are prohibited. The other group conducted class in their usual technology-rich environment.

After five days, the students were shown images and videos of different emotions, and the students who attended the Pali Institute performed dramatically better at recognizing emotions in comparison to the other group.

This supports my own experience–it’s so much better to communicate with friends face to face! Emojis don’t take the place of real feelings.

Not only does technology cost the mind, but also the wallet. According to a May 2011 press release by the IDC Government Insights, “U.S. K-12 schools are expected to spend about $4.7 billion on IT in 2015 much of that lead by investments in applications and general PC upgrades.”

Rather than directing funding towards the technology department, they could be put towards printing for students to learn more hands-on. If learning on paper is more beneficial, it makes sense for schools to spend more on paper and printing, rather than computer updates and laptops or tablets.

Textbooks, which are just enormous bundles of paper, are also very expensive. Schools find online books to be cheaper and lasting longer.

However, like writing, reading online isn’t always the best approach to learning.

Junior Melissa Darling said, “I like having a class where we work on computers, but when I have to read out of a textbook, I prefer it to be paper because I can’t focus when I read on a screen.”

Pushing educational funds towards printing and paper learning can boost grades and test scores. Instead of typing words that don’t thoroughly process, writing out words can improve handwriting and help students retain information.

Deborah Gilmartin, Testing Accountability and School Improvement Coordinator, shared Maryland Department of Education information about Frederick County and testing. In the 2014-2015 school year, 80% of PARCC tests in Maryland were administered through a computer, and 60% of all Maryland assessments were taken using computers. This year, over 92% of PARCC tests are to be done on a computer, and after this year, all PARCC tests are expected to be taken with a screen and keyboard over pen and paper.

According to Gilmartin, in 2014-2015, those students who tested on paper performed better than those who took the PARCC test online. In FCPS schools, of those who took PARCC on paper, 81% scored Proficient or Advanced. Of those who took the PARCC on computers, 76% scored Proficient or Advanced.

Yet, Maryland schools continue to advance with online testing. They plan to transition entirely online by the 2016-2017 school year. In defense of the computer testing, even though the scores are lower now, with more integrated use of technology, the test scores will most likely increase as students adapt to online testing. Students can access practice tests on the PARCC website to help prepare them for future exams.

Still, I’m not excited about my future with my nose pressed to a screen for seven hours a day.

Paper-directed learning can thoroughly improve grades and emotional comprehension in youth. Many students and teachers agree that learning on paper is easier on the mind, and professionals agree it benefits our health and promotes academic success.