Technology Skills for High School Students

Each year, technology advances. Medical discoveries are made. New devices are manufactured. User interfaces are updated. In short, technology is constantly evolving. As such, it plays an increasingly important role in our society, especially with the introduction of AI and machine learning. 

While there are plenty of debates regarding the ethics of technology, the simple truth is that if you want to succeed in today’s educational system and job market, you need to be able to use technology effectively. So where do you start? What technology skills should you be working towards developing? 

In this article, we’ll identify the most valuable technology skills for high school students, as well as show how to develop them. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by technology, don’t worry! We’ll help you find ways to narrow down your focus and set yourself up for future success. 

Why Technology Skills Matter in High School

To start off, why do technology skills matter in high school? Well, there are a couple of reasons. In addition to providing students with an edge in internships, jobs, and college applications, developing technology skills prepares students for fast-changing career landscapes. As previously stated, technology is constantly evolving, which means that jobs are evolving. Developing a sense of comfort around technology can help ensure that you won’t be left behind and that you’ll always have something to offer in terms of your career. Technological literacy also enables students to succeed in digital classrooms and online learning, while supporting creativity, innovation, and problem-solving throughout the process. 

Common Challenges in Building Technology Skills

Oftentimes, one of the goals of technology is to make life easier in some way. For example, a dishwasher cleans dishes more quickly than a soapy sponge and a bucket of water. Just like how a microwave can cook things faster than an oven. But what happens when technology doesn’t make things easier? What happens when technology actually makes something more difficult?

Even though the aim of technology is to make life easier, this isn’t always the case. First and foremost, technology can be really expensive, especially the most up-to-date technology. This means that there are often a lot of economic barriers to accessing technology. Even something as seemingly simple as WiFi isn’t available in a lot of places, either because the infrastructure isn’t there or residents can’t afford it, or a combination of the two. And even if someone can afford to invest in technology, they might not have enough training to be able to make the most out of their investment. 

Other common challenges when it comes to developing technology skills for high school students include difficulty connecting tech skills to real-world applications, lack of guidance on which skills are most relevant, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed by constantly changing tools and platforms. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive technology guide for you!

5 Essential Technology Skills for High School Students

Technology is everywhere. So how do you know where to start? Is it enough to know how to operate a smart phone and a computer? Or should you be learning how to code? And what about AI? In this section, we’ll explore 5 basic technology skills for high school students. Not only will this give you a good place to start, but it can also help limit any anxieties you may have by narrowing down such a pervasive aspect of our society. 

So regardless of whether you love the internet, hate it, or fall somewhere in between, these are 5 technology skills to focus on throughout the course of your high school career. By developing these skills now, you’ll set yourself up for future success throughout college and beyond:

1. Digital literacy and online research

With so much content online, students must learn to identify credible sources, distinguish between fact and opinion, and think critically about what they read and share. Overall, strong online research skills empower students to learn independently and approach assignments with curiosity and accuracy. Digital literacy also prepares students for college-level research. So if you’re writing a research paper, exploring potential careers, or keeping up-to-date with current events, knowing how to navigate the internet confidently and responsibly is an invaluable skill!

2. Proficiency with productivity software and collaboration tools

High school students who master platforms such as Google Workspace or Microsoft Office gain practical skills they can apply to class presentations, internships, and future jobs. Beyond individual work, many schools and companies now rely on online collaboration tools like Slack, Trello, and shared drives to manage group projects and communication.

Developing proficiency with these tools teaches students how to work efficiently and collaboratively in digital environments. By learning how to contribute to shared documents, track progress, and communicate ideas clearly, students are able to make valuable contributions, even when working remotely. Overall, by becoming comfortable with professional software early on, students gain a head start in adapting to modern workplace expectations.

3. Basic coding and programming concepts

Understanding the fundamentals of coding and programming introduces students to the logic behind the technology they use every day. This is why learning basic coding concepts can help foster problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. Programming also teaches us how to break down complex problems into smaller steps, test solutions, and learn from mistakes. It’s also worth noting that exposure to languages like Python, JavaScript, or HTML can open doors to future careers in computer information systems, engineering, and design. After all, as industries increasingly rely on automation and data-driven tools, coding literacy is becoming a valuable asset.

4. Data organization and analysis

High school students who understand how to use spreadsheets, databases, and visualization tools can make informed conclusions based on evidence. This analytical mindset encourages precision, logical reasoning, and the ability to communicate findings effectively. In a world overflowing with information, knowing how to analyze data responsibly helps students make sense of trends and patterns that affect their communities and the world.

5. Cybersecurity awareness and safe online practices

The internet is a revolutionary tool, but it can also pose a lot of threats as well. This is why knowing how to engage with technology safely is so important. In today’s digital world, protecting your personal information is a must. You need to know how to create strong passwords, recognize online scams, and think before you click or share. Cybersecurity awareness helps you stay safe, but it also teaches you to respect others’ privacy and use technology responsibly. Overall, building safe online habits now will protect you as you move through high school, college, and your future career.

How to Develop Technology Skills in High School

Now that we’ve discussed 5 essential technology skills for high school students, let’s take a moment to reflect on practical ways you can go about cultivating these skills. It’s no secret that high schoolers have busy schedules, so how can you find time to focus on something else? In this section, we’ll help you identify relatively easy ways to incorporate technology, and developing technology skills, into your everyday life and routines. So, let’s get started:

To start off, you may want to consider signing up for a computer science or technology elective. Oftentimes, the structure of a class can help you make meaningful progress. This is because, quite simply, teachers know how to teach. By having assignments, projects, tutorials, presentations, lectures, and class discussions, you’ll be able to approach a subject, such as technology, from lots of different perspectives. You’ll also have someone who can answer your questions and help you troubleshoot. Gaining technology skills can feel overwhelming, so having a physical community, i.e. a class, who can support you as you develop these skills can be invaluable. 

Similarly, joining robotics clubs, computer science competitions, or STEM summer programs can be great ways to learn alongside like-minded peers. These extracurricular activities for high school students can also be a lot of fun! And having fun is a great way to stay motivated and engaged in activity. 

Other ways to develop technology skills for high school students include: using online courses or tutorials for self-paced learning, participating in tech-focused high school internships or volunteer roles, and applying tech skills in independent or school projects.

Showcasing Technology Skills on Applications and Resumes

Cultivating technology skills while you’re in high school is a great use of your time. Not only will technological literacy help you use your time productively, access a wide range of resources, and avoid scams, but it will also prepare you for college and your future career. Which brings us to an important question: How do you go about showcasing technology skills on applications and resumes? 

Let’s start with student resumes. If you are creating a high school student resume with no work experience, there is still hope.There are a couple of ways to highlight relevant technological skills and proficiencies on your resume. To start off, in your education section, include any certifications you may have, as well as any online courses you’ve taken. Then, in your “skills” or “proficiencies” section, list specific tools and softwares you feel that you have a good understanding of. Depending on your experience, this may include things like: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Microsoft Excel, Python, Java, etc. 

In addition to tools and softwares, you can include other technological skills and proficiencies as well. Some technology skills you often see on resumes include: 

• Web Design

• SEO Writing

• Cybersecurity

• Coding

• Data Analysis

• Social Media Engagement

When you’re submitting applications, you’ll want to use your essays and/or cover letter as opportunities to provide examples of tech-related projects or initiatives you’ve participated in and how these experiences have taught you to use technology in your problem-solving process. For example, if you took an online course on how to use photoshop and then proceeded to use photoshop to make marketing materials for a student event, take time to highlight how your technology skills helped enhance and streamline these tasks. 

Building Lifelong Technology Competence

Technology is constantly advancing and evolving. This means that being technologically literate is an ongoing process. You can’t just learn something once and be done with it. After all, websites, apps, and various softwares are constantly being updated. And on top of all of that, new inventions and discoveries are always being made.

This means that in order to stay up-to-date with technology, you need to cultivate a mindset centered around curiosity, patience, and adaptability. Learning how to navigate a new user interface is always a learning curve. But rather than grow frustrated with technological changes, do your best to be patient as you learn how to “explore” technology through trial and error.  In short, just because something used to work one way, doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be the same! This is why adaptability is so important when it comes to technology.

In addition to a healthy mindset, centered around patience and curiosity, building lifelong technology competence means engaging in online learning, whether that be through formal classes, google searches, or online tutorials. It’s also important to apply your technology skills in a variety of contexts. Not only is this good practice, but it also teaches you to find situations that could benefit from technology use. For example, you may decide to use photoshop or canva to make a poster for the school dance. Or maybe, you decide to make your own app or short video game as a passionate project. 

Conclusion: Level Up with Polygence

Technology skills are vital for standing out in academics and future careers. Especially in today’s evolving job market. That being said, not all high schools have the resources to ensure that students are technologically adept by the time they graduate. This could be due to any number of factors, including limited time, resources, and expertise.  So what can you do if there are gaps in your school’s curriculum? 

Here at Polygence we connect students with expert mentors who guide tech-focused projects in coding, data analysis, and innovation. Whether you’re interested in the stock market, statistics and data analysis, computer vision, or anything in between, we can equip you with all of the tools, resources, and expertise you’ll need to succeed! We also offer a variety of programs, so there’s sure to be something that works well with your interests, goals, and most importantly, your schedule. Interested in learning more? Check out some parent and student testimonials and peruse our database of completed student projects.