It first started out with rock and some carving tools, which eventually morphed into a paper and quill, later transforming into a paper and pencil, and ultimately settling with a keyboard. Technology is becoming more prevalent in our society, and as a result education renovates itself to accompany those changes.

More and more students create groups on Facebook or share documents via email and Google Docs in order to keep each other updated on various aspects of the class.

This also provides a support system for students who struggle to understand concepts, as others in the class and even teachers are able to help through the internet.

Senior Greg Afong said that the AP Environmental Science classes stay connected through a Facebook group.

“One of us, usually Joe Pollock because he’s awesome, creates a Google document that is shared by the whole class,” Afong said.

Afong said that it makes getting help more convenient because of the improved technology and how easy it is to contact other people.

“By sharing a Google Doc, we are able to pool our ideas into a topic, which helps with study guides,” Afong said.

Afong said that this ability is hugely beneficial to the class. They do this to try and understand the material better.

“APES is a good class to do it for because there can be a lot of different environmental factors that affect the given topic,” Afong said. “The more people that contribute, the more areas we address and cover.”

Senior Joe Pollock said he likes to review for tests by organizing and compiling all of the information

“It kind of forces me to sift through all of the material,” Pollock said. “I do this anyway, so if other people can benefit from it, there’s no downside for me.”

Pollock said the best part is that they have a review for every chapter so final prep will be easy. Also next year, they will save students a lot of time because they already have the review guides made.

Another class that uses the internet to help connect its students to each other is Constitutional Law, also known as Civics.

“I think we have it just as a form of communication outside the classroom,” senior Allison Quantz said. “Mr. Keller is probably aware that people check Facebook more than their emails, and it is an easy way for everyone to talk together.”

Quantz said that she thinks it is somewhat beneficial because it gives everyone a place to ask questions and get help.

“It’s helped me because Mr. Keller has posted links that are good sources of information and people have posted about problems with turnitin.com,” Quantz said. “It’s nice to see other people are having the same issue you are.”

Similarly, the AP Mandarin class uses Facebook to keep updated on current homework assignments and to notify one another about upcoming tests and quizzes.

“If you miss a class, had to leave, or just straight up weren’t paying attention in class, no matter what, we’re always up to date,” senior Michael Yu said.

Yu said the use of the Facebook group has been very beneficial for him, helping him when he forgets to write down an assignment or needs help with homework.

“If anything, I think it’s helped us all maintain our grades in the class as it’s less likely that we’ll miss a homework assignment which can happen very frequently in some classes,” Yu said.