Chromebooks, Google’s more condensed version of a laptop, became accessible to classrooms on Monday, Sept. 23 after a six week delay.

Some teachers and students feel that Parkway’s technology department has upscaled through the purchase of the Chromebook carts.

“[The Chromebooks] are more student-friendly than laptops. All students have to do is open the lid and then their entire Google account is right at their fingertips since nothing is stored on the machine. No files. No waiting,” English teacher Michelle Kerpash said.

Currently the building owns two sets of 50 Chromebooks, a set for both the English and Social Studies department, with potentially more on the way. However, because of the six week delay, teachers had to adjust their lesson plans to accommodate to the lack of technology.

“I’ve had a laptop cart in my class for the last five years and during that time I slowly integrated technology into my curriculum,” History teacher Jeff Chazen said. “Now technology is a deeply embedded piece of my class, so without either laptops or Chromebooks I’ve had to make some major changes. Unfortunately, students have missed out on some unique opportunities that my technology based lesson-plans provided.”

Although Chromebooks are new to Parkway, students felt the effect of their absence.

“Instead of writing my English essay in class, I’ve been forced to work on it at home,” freshman Sophia McMorrow said. “It’s not my teacher’s fault we don’t have access to technology, but the situation as a whole is still frustrating.”

Although the Chromebooks are now fully functional, it took the efforts of teachers, students, and Principal Jeremy Mitchell to get the required security updates for the tech.

“There had been needed security installments for the Chromebooks in order to prevent students from installing programs like iTunes or games”, freshmen principal Kate Piffel said.

Despite access to the Chromebooks coming six weeks later than expected, many students feel they were well worth the wait.

“I’m glad they are finally working,” freshman Gabi Thompson said. “Now I’m finally able to do my school work without feeling left behind since my computer at home is pretty slow.”