With the 2014-2015 school year just around the corner, students of Woodland Regional High School are choosing their first semester classes and electives.

And this year, it’s a bit different. No longer will students be subjected to the dreaded paperwork, but rather classes and electives are being chosen on PowerSchool. But is this new technology really more efficient?

For the past few weeks, English classes have visited the library to make course selections on PowerSchool. As of February 12th, most but not all students had completed the selection process. Students that were absent on these selection days will choose their classes on a makeup day.

Several difficulties caused problems for students. Since this technology is new, not everything has gone smoothly. School counselors and Vice Principal, Dana Mulligan have been diligently to working to smooth out the kinks.

“You have to roll with it a little bit and expect that things aren’t going to go as planned,” said Bethany Didato, school counselor.

Certain electives and class recommendations were not available certain students. These are just some of the difficulties students have run into.

However, most students were able to select classes and electives without a problem. PowerSchool has made it easier on students and teachers in many ways. The class recommendations made by teachers are stored in the computer, eliminating confusion. Everything is done on the computer so no extra work needs to be done.

“It takes the onus off of me having to hand enter everything,” said Didato.

Since the paper forms have been eliminated, teachers and counselors do not have to worry about them getting lost or not getting them in on time.

“We would have to hunt students down for their papers,” said Didato.

PowerSchool has proved to be both a blessing and a curse. But with each year, using this technology will become easier and more efficient.