Convenient Classrooms by Jessica

Convenient Classrooms by Jessica - January 2020 Scholarship Essay

How many times do I refer to my technological devices a day? I have tried multiple times to keep track, but it is nearly impossible. Overall, I know that my day to day activities completely depend on the availability of and the resources contained on my cell-phone, laptop, and other reading devices. As we all know, there are just some things you cannot leave the house without.
Communication is simple and productive, thanks to increased technological use. Not only can students be reached collectively, but they can reach out to their teachers one-on-one at all times, ensuring everyone is getting the help they need and not feeling overlooked or unknown in the classroom. It’s beneficial to also have a record of communication to reference in the future if ever additional questions or concerns arise.
Technology has made a world of a difference in my experiences thus far in college, and generally for the better. I have an incredibly taxing schedule as a full-time student and full-time employee. I have large time commitments that require a lot of energy and focus seeing as I am working 2 jobs on top of my heavy course load at the University of Utah. Due to this, I have chosen to immerse myself in the online classroom experience and about half of my classes within these last two semesters have been done online. While I absolutely would say online learning is not for everyone, it has provided me with a convenient way to earn my education amid my busy schedule. It requires independence and discipline, but I have experienced first-hand the positive opportunities that technology has provided for me as an individual and collectively for my classmates. We are able to meaningfully discuss course materials as we share insights and comment on what others have shared. My favorite professors have provided us with a plethora of options to gather information relating to the class, whether it be recorded lectures, posted slides, supplemental videos, or textbook reading, they certainly align with all learning styles. We are each able to learn at our own pace, as well. It’s truly remarkable!
In addition, even with my on-campus, in-person classes, technology has provided us with opportunities to immediately share feedback about the material we are learning, take short quizzes with the touch of a button, have access to all documents in our hands, and much more. We are able to cover what we need to in the time allotted and it is structured and well-planned. Professors can continually assess the level of understanding their students are at due to the benefits of technology use in the classroom.
As a college student who loves organization, technology use has only made my life easier and more efficient. I simply cannot imagine a learning experience without it anymore. Along with all of these benefits, there is another one that is vital to desiring to further your education, in my opinion- learning is more fun online! There are millions of resources available that can enhance and better the learning process that couldn’t be found by searching through shelves at a library. So much of what is available at our fingertips is often taken for granted. While I feel as though as a society we have become largely dependent on the technology available to us, I think this is a great thing in regards to classroom learning. I think it shows that we are innovative people who want to change the world and make a difference, quickly and intentionally. Technology allows us to do so and I look forward to the further advances that will continue to better the lives of mankind.