Eleven years ago, it was Weebly. Three years ago, it was Google Classroom. This year, it’s Blend. Technology is constantly evolving to improve and Blend is the next best thing for teachers and students all across AISD.

Blend is the newest software developed and modified by Canvas Instructure, a learning company specialized in technology. Blend is specific to AISD and is meant to aid students and teachers alike in organizing information and providing a resource for students to use in each of their classes. This is the first school year that both teachers and students are having to adapt to using Blend. For some it’s a challenge, but for others it’s just like any other software.

“I think Blend is really neat, but something we’re just not used to,” senior Avery Schmidt said. “It’s weird that I have to turn in a majority of my assignments online now, but it’s pretty fast and efficient.”

Ashley Spiro teaches AP Environmental Science, a course that uses technology for video assignments, homeworks and methods to help the students study. Spiro had to make the transition from using a website made with Weebly to Blend.

“I was fine, but there were quite a few teachers that were having a lot of problems,” Spiro said. “I also think it has a lot to do with the technology divide between people who are younger and grew up with computers and the internet and people who are older.”

AISD purchased Blend this year from Canvas Instructure. It is being used all across the district and teachers have various opinions about it.

“Well I like to think that technology is currently in it’s awkward teenage period when it comes to adapting a software for all of us to use and integrate into our curriculum and classroom,” Spiro said. “I think that it is equivalent to a website, and maybe several websites into one once they finish integrating more things.”

There are benefits to using just one software. In the past, there were many options on where a teacher chose to put their information. Now, it’s all in one place.

“It’s the same across for all of the teachers,” Spiro said. “I think it’s easier for the students, especially since they tend to forget the teachers’ websites. It’s less versatile, but that’s kind of easy to get over.”

Many teachers, such as AP Biology educator Jessica Davis, uses the Flipped Classroom method. This is when students listen to the lectures at home and come to class prepared for a follow up activity. Blend makes this method easier.

“I love that I can post my video assignments and that kids can turn in their homework,” Davis said. “I used TurnItIn before, and turnitin.com works for this, but being able to go paperless and take quizzes, I just think it has everything.”

Over the past four years, the technology that teachers have adapted to their classrooms has changed many times. For seniors, they’ve had to readjust every year to a new software.

“It’s weird, but I think it definitely shows just how much technology is becoming more and more involved in our everyday lives,” Schmidt said.

However, the transition from middle school to high school is a big step. Many freshmen, such as Sahibveer Mann, believe Blend has aided with this transition.

“I think it’s very helpful going into my freshman year,” Mann said. “I like the calendar and how it shows all of the assignments and how it shows all of the teacher’s websites for information.”

Teachers and students alike look forward to the updates and improvements that are in store for Blend.

“I think that this is just a part of the growth period,” Spiro said. “It’s one of the firsts, other than Google Classroom, that everyone is kind of required to do. It’ll improve, they’ll get rid of the bugs and it’ll hopefully get better.