Did you know that Florida ranks number one in education? This state remains an undefeated champion for the second year in a row. It can’t be a coincidence, so others would do well to learn from this shining example. And the most important lesson lies in how Florida takes advantage of technology to make education more accessible for all. It embraces progress instead of fretting over how smartphones distract students. Let’s talk about what makes this state so effective where others have failed.
Digital materials
Florida legally requires schools to have at least half of their materials in a digital form. Professional psychology essay writers would tell you that this isn’t just about convenience. All students learn differently, so it’s important to give them more mediums to choose from. This approach is especially relevant for Gen Z, who grew up with screens and devices surrounding them every step of the way. They may be more comfortable with information that comes in already familiar formats.
But there’s another advantage. Florida works to break social divides and bring education to children from all backgrounds. Digital materials are more affordable and easier to spread. They become a great alternative when rising textbook costs are too much to handle. You might ask, what about students from low-income families? What good are digital materials to them if they can’t afford personal devices? Keep reading to learn about Florida’s solution for this.
Technological support
Florida learned from COVID-19. State officials realized that education doesn’t always happen in the classroom, so they work to provide students with much-needed devices. In fact, Florida has bought more than 183,000 student laptops during the last two years. Impressive, isn’t it? And it’s not just for using digital materials and doing homework. Cameras installed in classrooms give students an opportunity to be present when they are sick at home or can’t be there for other reasons. In the long run, teachers noticed these results:
- Higher grades
- More motivation
- More consistent homework
- Improved participation
It’s a pricey approach, but it can bridge socio-economic divides. It uplifts disadvantaged students instead of expecting them to work twice as hard as their peers. At the same time, it helps to make sure that students can learn outside their classrooms just as effectively. And if schools close down again for one reason or another, Florida will be ready.
Technological classrooms
Do you know how some schools stick with their ten-year-old equipment because it still works? They would say that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. So they still have those bulky monitors and loud keyboards but no recent innovations in sight. Florida is very much against this approach because it always invests in technological refreshes for classrooms. It currently uses part of the half-cent sales tax to provide these and other upgrades:
- Rolling podiums
- Wireless keyboards and mouses
- Viewsonic boards
- Document cameras
- Monitors
- Teacher desktops
Taxpayers might argue that this is just a huge waste of their money, but is it? Schools prepare students for the real world. If a school relies on outdated technology, it’s going to fail at teaching some of the most relevant skills. Our society depends on technological literacy so much that we need it to function in our day-to-day tasks. So upgraded classrooms create a modern mindset that will help students become successful members of society.
Technological literacy
Tech studies are another big investment to help Florida’s education system stay on top. Students are required to take at least one online class to graduate high school. They are more likely to take standardized tests on computers compared to other states. What’s more, Florida pays for training in technology-related fields like mobile application development.
High school and college students alike can learn skills in robotics, cybersecurity, and computer programming without straining their finances. They don’t have to come from wealthy families – they just need to be interested and show effort. At the moment, state funding for this training is available only in fifteen districts out of twenty-eight. However Florida actively works to bring such opportunities to more schools.
Now it should be fairly obvious why Florida is winning when it comes to education. It sees technology as a source of many possibilities, not as a threat. So it helps schools seize these possibilities and move toward the future. Most importantly, it pays attention to the digital divide between different students and works to make it better. This is a promising approach that shows a deep understanding of how modern society works. You go, Florida!