Disclosure: This post is a sponsored post written by EVERFI.
It’s no secret that technology and its innovations have drastically shaped the way we live our daily lives-- from how we self-froth our morning cup of coffee to how we soothe ourselves to sleep at the end of a long day (e.g. making a list of to-dos for tomorrow in iPhone notes, putting on lavender-scented eye masks, pressing play on the calming meditation app soundtrack). Technology can make our lives easier, more efficient, and less stressful. It can also teach us new things-- there’s a how-to video for everything these days! Keeping up with the changing times can be overwhelming, and for educators who show up every day to shape the young minds of our future, technology can open doors that were previously closed. Reaching 21st-century learners requires creativity and innovation. EVERFI is answering the call.
Academic success remains a strong predictor of a student’s success in the long term and is just as important as a student’s financial foundation, their ability to communicate and resolve conflicts and map out a strategic plan for the future. EVERFI works with local school communities in each and every state across the US to identify the missing layers of education. If you are a teacher looking to leave a lasting impact on students, then EVERFI’s got you covered with valuable lessons on real-world skills. Plus each lesson is at no cost and if you have questions, there’s a network of local EVERFI support specialists to help.
EVERFI, along with their community-focused partners, is excited to share their newest and innovative tech-focused resources to help educators cover these three real-world skills that every student needs.
- Planning & preparing for their financial futures now
For middle school teachers: For some students, planning for the future is a constant mind-game. What do I need to do next, where will I be in 5 years, in 10 years? Throughout a student’s K-12 career, they are prompted to think 10 steps ahead. Through EVERFI’s FutureSmart course, students have the opportunity to start thinking about upcoming financial hurdles in middle school and how to overcome them. In this immersive course, students become the Mayor of a town and help the citizens achieve their financial goals. Students will embody different perspectives and address real-world financial decisions within the context of a larger goal. In addition to this digital experience, students also have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship hosted by MassMutual Foundation. This is a perfect extension activity to take your students into the busy holiday season. There’s no time like the present to start preparing students for their futures.
Curious how a middle school teacher might use this in their classroom? Learn more here.
For high school teachers: Many teens have the added pressure of juggling school and sometimes after-school jobs. EVERFI’s high school financial education suite of programs offers opportunities for students to think about how they are setting themselves up for financial wellness now and in the future. For those that are considering continuing their education, financing higher education can be a difficult journey to navigate. Through EVERFI: Financial Literacy and Pathways, students begin to pick up tips and tricks on how to assess the ROI of higher education, understand student loans, and how to pay them back responsibly. Regardless of a student’s pathway, acquiring budgeting skills and gaining an understanding of credit and debt are critical to a student’s success. EVERFI offers additional, specialized financial wellness digital courses on things like investing and paying for college to help students sharpen these skills.
Discover how this high school teacher leverages EVERFI Financial Literacy in her classroom.
For elementary teachers: Why wait until students are in their teenage years to start building these competencies? If you teach elementary, students can begin to form responsible financial habits through Vault: Understanding Money. In this course, students will join a group of friends who get pulled into a multiverse portal and transported to different worlds where they are charged with helping the main character solve a financially-based problem. This course is great for young learners who want to start thinking about career exploration and future planning.
Hear how one teacher implements Vault in their elementary classroom.
- Digital Citizenship (How to Be Smart, Safe, & Savvy on the Internet)
For middle/high school teachers: Aside from financial success, students also have to be savvy in how they interact with others and how they build their reputation-- particularly in the ever-growing digital world. EVERFI’s Ignition course is hugely popular in middle schools across the country as students are increasingly spending their spare time on multi-media platforms. The course encourages students to take practical steps to protect their own privacy and safety online, while also teaching them how to evaluate content for accuracy, perspective, and motive. Ignition tackles some of the most pressing digital issues facing middle schoolers today, preparing them to be better digital citizens for their lifetime.
High school teachers looking to equip students to spend and send money online may also appreciate Money Moves. This digital curriculum consists of 4 interactive lessons that will teach students to be on the lookout for scams and identity platforms where it is safe to enter their personal information. They’ll walk away feeling empowered to utilize modern banking and engage in peer-to-peer transactions through secure means.
- Making Healthy, Informed Decisions for Themselves
At the end of the day, educators and school communities are on the front lines of ensuring students are healthy and safe. This reality has become even more obvious during the last two school years. EVERFI recognizes this need and has created a health and wellness suite of resources to help teachers navigate tough conversations around analyzing influences and substance misuse and mental wellness. A highly requested course, Vaping: Know the truth, is a prevention-forward digital learning experience that gives today’s students core knowledge around the dangers associated with using e-cigarettes and offers resources to help young people quit if they already vape. This award-winning resource, along with EVERFI’s additional health and wellness courses, creates a space for thoughtful dialogue around improving students’ health.
EVERFI continues to tackle today’s toughest issues and provide educators with no-cost technological tools to help improve the lives of students. From financial literacy to student wellness, no issue is too large or scary. Technology can help transform the way we reach this generation of digital natives, and EVERFI is committed to leading the charge. For more information on how to implement these resources in your schools, please visit: https://everfi.com/k-12/
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