Remember the last time you did homework without using your computer for answers? Yeah, me neither. As the years go on and technology continues to become more convenient and easier to use, the question that keeps re-occurring is how dependent are we truly on technology?

Erica Shook (’16) uses technology two hours after school to check up on her social media as well as to do assignments for school.

“Google is the answer to all of my homework problems.” Erica said.

Despite saying that, she thinks she can survive without technology at least for a week, which was something she attempted before. But most of her friends couldn’t imagine life without their Instagram or Facebook.

Technology comes with many features such as communicating with friends and family, getting caught up on daily news, streaming videos, listening to music, playing games, and other various features.

Engineering student Abby Amass (’17) likes how technology makes things easier to do. She uses her phone and computer for getting her homework done and to talk with her friends.

However, she feels that it would be better if the world was less technologically advanced since workers wouldn’t be replaced with machines.

With all of these features available at our fingertips, it’s easy to take advantage of its privileges. However, when it stops working, it becomes a major crisis.

English and Yearbook teacher Mary Stinefelt uses the computer, projector, and the Elmo on a daily basis. She is glad the technology is available to make her job easier, but she thinks it’s also “glitchy” and often out of date..

There are even classes in this school that are solely dependent on having everything functioning properly including computers, cameras, and monitors. It’s also important that the internet server is working as well since many of the classes require access to the internet.

Radio and TV and Engineering teacher, Mr. Fellows is very dependent on the school’s technology for completing his class objectives.

“For the Radio and TV show we need them to be able to edit videos and record voices, but it is possible if technology isn’t working to have a plan B and work on story boards.” said Mr. Fellows.

Many students have their phones attached to the hip during the school day as well as when they go out to socialize or hang out at home. It’s become almost nerve-wracking when the phone is missing or when it falls to the ground.

Wild spread editor for the Yearbook Courtnie Hackley (’15) uses her phone throughout the day to get on websites for personal use and for yearbook.

“If I didn’t have my phone, I think I would be ok but since I have it available it’s a lot easier to get stuff done.” said Courtnie.

Demonstrating the dependency on even a cell phone, the recent international video about the young man from Perth, Australia being one of the first people to obtain the new IPhone 6 and dropped it on the sidewalk when he took it out of the box. The crowd and reporter were all shocked and panicked when he dropped it even though the phone was still in good condition.

Sydney Eifert (’18) laughed at the crowd’s reaction to the Iphone 6 dropping.

“I think they completely overreacted and it was ridiculous and pretty funny.” said Sydney. “There was a little reason to overreact but it’s just an Iphone6. They could just get a new phone if the screen cracked.”

So is technology seen as a disadvantage or an advantage? From Hereford’s perspective, it’s a little bit of both. Either way, as technology becomes more accessible to the public, there is no doubt that it will be used and even abused throughout the years to come.