Looking back at the ‘90s, it was a decade of legendary cartoons, flashy clothing, and silly toys; fast forward to the 21st century where iPods, video games, and smart phones are dominating present-day society. In 2015 all incoming freshman will be born in the year 2000, and the last of the ’90s kids will be graduating soon after.
Due to the technology boom of the 2000s this generation has grown up with an abundance of technologies that occupy their everyday lives. The main difference between these two generations of students is the type of technology available to them in each time period.
The first computer models weighed 25 pounds; now, computers can vary from average desktops to touchscreen laptops. The days of home phones are almost gone. Smart phones are common today and have all the essentials: internet access, camera, texting, and talking.
The issue with technology has changed the typical high school experience. Nowadays, new school policies about phone usage are being made, something that wasn’t an issue a couple of years ago. Rather than communicating in person, students opt for texting and talking on social media websites.
The great advancement in technology has some positive and negative effects.
An anonymous sophomore said “Cell phones can be distracting because kids text in class.”
Technology has also helped the learning experience by making learning easier and knowledge more accessible.
American Sign Language teacher Mrs. Vanover said, “I can go from the iPad to the Elmo to the computer in seconds, all to show what I need for a lesson.”
Homework help for students and alternative ways of explaining a lesson is something else that’s changed the high school experience for the better.
“Whenever I don’t understand a lesson I go to Google and it leads me to a tutorial,” said junior Kaylee DaCosta.
Only time can tell just how this technological advancement of the 2000s will affect this generation compared to those of the ‘90s in the long term. Until then, Seminole students continue to enjoy being the first generation to experience the heavy influence of technology on their high school experience.