Accessibility, Preparation for the Future, and Individuality by Ella

Accessibility, Preparation for the Future, and Individuality by Ella - November 2025 Scholarship Essay

I can’t imagine my life without technology. It is integrated into everything I do, from communication to transportation to entertainment. I use it every day for many things, but most importantly, school. My education is heavily influenced by technology, and for good reason. With technology, I have instant access to information when I need it, positive learning experiences, and I feel prepared for a fast-paced and technology-heavy future.

The first thing that technology has done to improve my classroom experience is provide me with accessible resources. In the classroom, we utilize it for a variety of reasons, including research, watching educational videos, or practicing math skills. I can find practice exams on AP classroom or vocabulary flashcards with a quizlet to enhance my learning without much difficulty. Technology has improved my learning by giving me attainable resources, and it also has been used for activities that cannot be done inside a classroom. For example, in my physics class we used an online simulation that allowed us to add and subtract the amount of protons and neutrons in an atom to test its stability. The simulator let me manipulate the atom from my desk, without the risk of blowing up my classroom. Those same resources have helped me continue my education even when I am unable to be in the classroom physically. I can use my email or discussion platforms to communicate with my teachers and peers outside of school about confusing assignments. If I need to, I can take my learning on the go and not have to worry about making up work on a sick day because of online coursework. Not to mention, if I don’t understand something, I can find videos, articles, or images to support my learning even further, so I won’t fall behind and can stay prepared for future classes.

Another thing that technology has done to positively affect my education is to give me chances to prepare for a future world with technology. Before I was in school, most assignments were on paper, and information came from textbooks. I still use both today, but most of my work has shifted online as more aspects of society become digital. For example, in English and social studies classes, I have learned how to find and analyze information from trustworthy sources, and then use that information to write an essay. Other courses have taught me how to write code to build a website or how to build spreadsheets that will calculate data for me. Technology in the classroom has also taught me to navigate one of the newest, fastest-growing technologies: Artificial intelligence. When AI first became available to the public, if students used it for schoolwork, there were serious consequences. Now, as AI has become increasingly popular all over the digital world, my teachers have adapted by teaching us how to navigate and use it in a way that supports our needs. For example, in my English class last year, my teacher taught us how to use AI to review our essays. We would input the rubrics and our writing, and ask for the AI to grade the essay and suggest areas for improvement. I have used AI in other classes as well, such as in my child development class. This year, we were practicing interviews before we started our internships, and my teacher had us use an AI that asked us interview questions and then graded our responses. Thanks to computers being in the classroom, I had the opportunity to navigate the confusing world of technology and learn technical skills that are both valuable now and in my future career.

The final benefit of technology in the classroom is its power to foster creativity. Students have the world at their fingertips online, and can use it to explore their own passions. Look at the simple Ipad for example. It can be used to produce music through Garageband or capture light in pictures the way only a student interested in photography can. I know students that have taken a liking to art classes, and turned it into a career through graphic design. The infinite possibilities of what can be created online also show us students that we have the power to express ourselves and innovate however we please. Technology constantly being in the classroom gives students the chance to find and pursue their individual interests in unique ways, while also preparing them for their futures.

Overall, technology has positively impacted my classroom experience. I feel fortunate that my school was able to provide students with chromebooks, printers, cameras, and more, because it has created opportunities for learning, experimentation and creativity that impact us far beyond the classroom.