#Beneficial by Jordynn

#Beneficial by Jordynn - January 2020 Scholarship Essay

In my school, everyone is plugged in. Smart Boards swallow the walls of every room, the rows of Mac Desktops are up and running daily, and each student’s school-issued Chromebook is stored in its case as they battle their way through the halls between classes.

It’s almost crazy to believe that just 30 years ago, half the resources available at my fingertips didn’t even exist in a classroom setting. In my experience, technology has positively impacted classes in my school beyond the standard use of computer labs and fancy library printers. Here, we’ve had the opportunity to use technology in a way that prepares us for the future in some of the most hands-on ways.

The Spartan Union, our school’s very own coffee shop, is one of the most intriguing examples of technology benefiting our classroom experience. Students have the option to take a Business Leadership class in which they are responsible for running the Union. Aside from working in the coffee shop itself, a big part of their job revolves around practicing marketing skills. With today’s technology, the students get first-hand experience being in charge of social media accounts of a business, and have found ways to increase their sales through advertising on multiple platforms.

Another way technology provides a beneficial learning environment is found in our TechEd shops. From working on automobiles to building literal houses for musical sets, the inventions produced by students- thanks to the access they have to advanced construction technology- are beyond any average teen-made products. In addition to the benefit of gaining experience working with different tools, these students also have the opportunity to apply for a broader range of scholarship awards for their work, something they may not have as been able to do as easily (if at all) without the technology available at our school.

Typically when thinking about technology in the classroom, the first place many people’s minds go is to cell phones- aka the newest limbs of the rising generations. And while most of the schools in my district have a “no phone zone” policy, my school allows students to keep and even use their devices during class. Some argue that the presence of smartphones in school is detrimental to a classroom experience because they can be distracting. Even if there are cases in which this is accurate, I still personally believe that it’s ultimately an experience that will benefit me. The goal of high school is to prepare me for the future, and the chances that I one day work a job in an environment where there are zero distractions are very low. Furthermore, being given access to my phone creates a scenario in which I have to use good decision making skills and self control in order to be successful in school. I learn how to adopt good habits and valuable skills from a piece of technology that doesn’t even need to be turned on for me to experience the benefits.

In some cases, it’s important to preserve classic and customary ways of getting things done, and sometimes more effective too. However, when it comes to my education, I am grateful for all the amazing opportunities I’ve been offered access to due to the advanced technology provided in my school.