Technology in the Classroom puts Students First

Nowadays the adoption of technology in the classroom is widespread, but mastering the use of technology can be a very scary feat, especially for the elder generation of teachers. Today’s students were born with technology at their fingertips, and almost every aspect of their lives revolves around some sort of technology. Those who grew up before the technological boom of the late 20th century often face a steep learning curve when it comes to technology.

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege to meet with many teachers, and I learned that the younger generation of teachers are far more in tune with technology and find themselves having far less difficulties communicating with their students. These teachers have the understanding that their students live and breathe in a world where everyone is equipped with some sort of technology. Technology just happens to be a way of life, and if you can use it to connect with your students, you have the ability to truly have an impact on their lives.

With that being said, many school districts are faced with a big problem. They don’t have the capacity or ability to equip their schools with the newest and greatest technology. In turn, students are behind the learning curve, and this makes teachers’ jobs harder than they already are.

Students in these districts aren’t given the opportunity to learn with tools they’re used to having at their fingertips or the very technology that is actually used in the working world. Those that are afforded these opportunities have a huge advantage. As hard as this was to believe, one of the high school teachers I spoke with said some of her students have never heard of Microsoft Office. They have no idea what Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are. This was shocking, but also very alarming to me. In my four years of college, the majority of my school work was done utilizing the tools that Microsoft Office provides. When these students move on to college, they are expected to learn how to use these simple tools on the fly, on top of completing work for various classes. No student should be at such a disadvantage.

All in all, technology is a catalyst in improving students’ quality of education throughout the nation and around the world. I am proud to say as a co-founder of FridgeWorthy, we have the ability to provide opportunities to underprivileged students and communities. Our mission as a non-profit is to help students make the most out of their education, by providing a technological platform that rewards them for their academic success. We also work to give back to the communities and schools that we partner with. Not only do we provide monetary aid to these communities, but also opportunities for high school students to experience what it is truly like to work for various businesses in the real world. FridgeWorthy has only just begun, but this is a journey, and we’re excited to have the ability to impact students’ lives throughout the great state of Georgia, and the rest of the nation in the very near future.