New Era by Ivelisse

New Era by Ivelisse - January 2020 Scholarship Essay

As the years go by, technology becomes a bigger part of our world. Incorporating technology within the education system is efficient, innovative, and adaptive.
When I entered high school, I got something called a scholarchip ID card that was used to be able to enter the school as well as our cafeteria. Although at first it seemed quite strange, I quickly began to really like its purpose and effect on the school. It was much easier for our security guards to keep track of exactly who is entering the building; making students feel safer in the classroom.
Besides scholarchips, chromebooks were also brought into each classroom. At this point, the students accepted and loved the concept of making our school more modern and technological. The idea made everything seem so new and made learning fun, for our technology loving generation. Students often rely on their phone for everyday life and often can’t fathom living without their gadgets such as laptops, and smart watches. Bringing chromebooks into schools gave more direct attention to the younger generations moving into their high school years and demonstrated the teacher’s ability to connect to their students in today's day of age.
Chromebooks were also introduced to elementary and middle schools in our district. Not only have teenagers become reliant on technology, but so have many young children. Some people may disagree with the influence technology has on our children by saying it may rot their brain, but in fact it does the complete opposite. Technology allows a child’s brain to explore new ways to approach situations, shows them how to do research at a young age as well as how to develop a more critical yet creative way of thinking. It does a wonderful job at showing children how the real world operates (with limitations to things that may exploit). In relation to the concerns parents have for exploitation, schools block certain websites and set restrictions on what students can come across, or search for. Therefore, technology is not a burden on young children but rather a new and adaptive way of learning about the world around them.
Technology has the power to transform the world around us. My high school experience was easier and more productive once technology had been introduced. All of my work was online; beneath my fingertips and within the touch of a few buttons. Studying became easier as being a visual learner was reassured by videos available online and power points with pictures/video clips. I didn’t have as many books to bring to class, making school seem less as a chore but more as an innovative and connected way of learning and exploring new things. I began to love school and learning, as instead of having to read a textbook for hours, I was instead doing work online and got to learn material in a different light.
I was, and still am, very grateful for my schools’ capability to provide students with the best learning experience possible. My parents, and much of the older generations, didn’t have such a privilege growing up and now may feel lost or confused in a world that is so technologically driven. Learning with technology not only helps young people, including myself, have an interesting educational experience, but it also helps us adapt to the ever-changing world around us.