Digital or Physical?

Tech Tip Tuesday (April 29, 2025)

As summer approaches and the Spring Equinox of March 20 fades further into the past, gaining the sunlight we happily let blind us in the rearview mirror during our commutes, our excitement for the year's end and the start of the next ebbs, flows, and grows.

A never-ending, existential problem of there being issues with the Wi-Fi or the jammed copier always exists, and the question remains: do I have students do this on paper or on the computer?

What about learning?

The debate between paper and digital materials in K-12 education centers on learning outcomes, student engagement, accessibility, and practical classroom concerns.

Click to expand to view on Canva

A comparison chart titled "Paper or Digital?" created by Brian Krause for LTC. The chart compares Paper-based Learning and Digital Learning across five features: Comprehension & Retention, Focus, Engagement & Convenience, Equity, and Environmental Impact. - **Paper-based Learning** shows: - Higher comprehension for deep reading and review. - Fewer distractions, better engagement. - Tangible but less interactive; requires physical storage and is heavier. - No technology barriers. - Uses paper and printing. - **Digital Learning** shows: - Lower comprehension for long texts, but provides explainers and vocabulary support. - More distractions and passive engagement. - Highly interactive, customizable; lightweight with many resources. - Digital divide concerns. - Reduces paper use but devices have associated costs.

Well, which do I choose?

Both formats offer unique advantages and drawbacks, and research increasingly suggests that a blended learning approach may provide the greatest learning benefit to students.

Offers flexibility and personalization for diverse learners
Increases student engagement and achievement
Enables individualized support and differentiation
Empowers teachers with new skills and reduces workload
Supports effective classroom management and assessment

Connecting the Past to the Present Truthfully

Retro Report has produced over free 250 short documentaries and video series in collaboration with renowned partners such as The New York Times, PBS, The New Yorker, VICE, Scientific American, NBC News, Politico, Time, The Guardian, Univision, and more. All documentaries come with accompanying resources for classroom discussion and assessment.

Their mission blends compelling, reliable journalism with history, civics, and media literacy education. By doing so they are helping to combat the information crisis by:

Revitalizing history and civics education with engaging, real-world examples.
Delivering nonpartisan, fact-based journalism to build trust in media.
Equipping educators with innovative media literacy tools to empower students to analyze and assess information critically.

For K–12 teachers (and everyone), their resources provide adaptable, classroom-ready materials designed to spark curiosity, inspire informed discussions, and foster critical thinking in students.

Also again, free to use without any copyright issues.
Note: Retro Report resources are not CCSS or IL S.S-aligned and would need adapting if using for those purposes.

Retro Report Documentaries and Classroom Resources

Amid widespread misinformation and debates over facts, Retro Report creates trusted documentaries and classroom resources adapted from reputable sources to foster understanding, combat misinformation, and inspire inquiry.

💰 I mean..we all need money. 💰

Apply for an IRTA grant for your classroom!

Grants - Illinois Retired Teachers Association

The Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation offers a series of programs and grants for retired and current teachers. Learn more about IRTA grants.

irtaonline.org

IRTA Grant Form

1 page application, $750 maximum, due on June 1, 2025