09/08/2024

18 Things That Have Disappeared from Modern Schools

Remember the good old days in school when you’d scramble to copy notes off a dusty chalkboard while you could hear the clunky sound of a typewriter in the background? Schools have come a long way since then, and today, we’re looking back at the things you just don’t see in schools anymore. Here are 18 things that have been left behind as schools keep up with the times.

Chalkboards

The chalkboard was once the centerpiece of a classroom, but it’s a foreign concept today. Most schools have traded it in for shiny whiteboards or smart digital screens because they’re cleaner and far more modern. Now, teachers can pop up videos and interactive lessons faster than you can say “chalk.”

Overhead Projectors

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Teachers used to use old overhead projectors to show notes, although these bulky beasts are mostly gone now. Instead, teachers use sleek digital projectors and smartboards to do the same thing because they can get things on the screen quickly. Now, lessons are more like mini-movies than lectures.

Cursive Writing Classes

Cursive writing is a lost art in most schools today, and instead of looping letters, kids are learning how to type away on keyboards. Since most communication happens digitally, it makes sense, but many of us still miss the personal touch of a handwritten note. You just can’t beat the feel of pen on paper.

Physical Encyclopedias

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Gone are the days when students would pull out a heavy volume of an encyclopedia to start their research. Now, they can do it all with a quick search online. Better yet, online resources are updated in real-time, making those old books seem outdated. Students now have access to the most current information, so they’re learning more efficiently.

Dodgeball

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For some, dodgeball was the highlight of gym class, but it was a nightmare for others. Thanks to concerns about safety and inclusion, many schools have benched dodgeball for good, and PE classes have games for all children. Schools care far more about teamwork and physical fitness these days.

Metal Lunchboxes

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You won’t really see any metal lunchboxes in school cafeterias anymore, as most schools encourage more practical options like insulated bags. After all, they’re easier to clean and, let’s be honest, far less clunky. Newer lunch containers are also better at keeping food fresher and preventing contamination.

Card Catalogs

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If you remember flipping through a card catalog to find a book in the library, you might feel a bit ancient in a modern school. Digital catalogs make it a breeze to find a book without getting lost in the stacks, and they’re also a lot easier on the fingers. Many libraries use these because they make it much easier to manage their collections and track the most popular books.

Corporal Punishment

Thankfully, corporal punishment is a thing of the past in many schools because schools focus on fostering respect and understanding instead. They’ll use positive reinforcement rather than fear to promote good behavior, which is far more supportive. Such an approach helps create a positive school culture where students feel safe to learn and make mistakes.

Typewriters

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Typewriters in schools are totally extinct since computers and tablets have taken over, teaching kids the digital skills they need for the future. On the plus side, that means no more ribbon replacements or jammed keys. There’s no real need to learn about these older forms of writing, even though they’ve become popular again.

Textbooks

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Since the digital takeover, heavy backpacks filled with textbooks are becoming less common, mostly because they’re lighter. Digital texts are usually easier on the budget and more interactive than books because they include features like videos and interactive tests. Learning has never been so fun.

Rotary Phones

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Most people don’t have rotary phones in their homes, so don’t be surprised that they’re gone from school offices, too. They’ve been replaced by digital systems that can do a lot more than just make calls, as they’re part of a bigger security system now that keeps kids safer than ever. Schools can communicate much easier now with parents, which is great.

Slates

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Before tablets and iPads, there were slates, and each student had their own little chalkboard. As you might expect, new technology has made learning much more interesting and, thankfully, less dusty. Students have instant access to many tools and resources, whether online textbooks or educational apps. Better yet, teachers can personalize them to each student’s needs.

Mimeograph Machines

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The sweet smell of mimeograph ink is no longer in schools, mostly because modern printers and copiers are quicker and cleaner. They also give teachers much sharper copies, which means fewer purple-inked fingers. However, these improvements mean more than that; they give teachers more time to focus on teaching rather than administrative tasks.

Floppy Disks

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Floppy disks were once the savior of many school projects, but you’ll struggle to find a school computer that reads them now. Even USB drives are starting to disappear as cloud storage has taken over. Cloud storage gives students plenty of space and makes schoolwork a lot easier, as students can work from home or the library just as easily as from the classroom.

Pull-Down Maps

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While pull-down maps do have something special about them, digital maps and interactive globes have pushed them out of the classroom. These new tools can show changes in real-time and make geography much more engaging. Students can now take virtual tours of places they’re studying, making them seem much more real in a way that static maps never could.

Woodshop Classes

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Woodshop is not as common as it used to be because many schools have swapped saws and sanders for computer labs. Technology is the present and the future, though some people argue that practical skills are just as crucial. Either way, most STEM programs don’t usually include these classes, although there are signs that woodshop classes are returning.

Trapper Keepers

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In the past, if you wanted to organize your school papers, Trapper Keepers were the best way to do that, although these color folders have taken a backseat these days. Laptops and cloud storage are far more popular since they’re much more convenient. It also makes it much easier for teachers to keep track of everyone’s progress in real time.

Payphones

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Just about every student has a cellphone, which is why payphones are practically useless now. Since this shift to personal phones, parents and kids can stay in touch more directly and reliably, even in school. Smartphones also allow students to access the internet and manage their school schedules, which is impossible with payphones.