TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- In a WTXL exclusive interview, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak sat down with tech reporter Morgan Moore to talk about the importance of education, and how he's trying to encourage future inventors.
For Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, coming to speak at a university was a no-brainer. Education is at the forefront for this engineer, who’s now an adjunct college professor in Australia.
Morgan Moore: “Why is it so important to come and talk to kids at this age?”
Steve Wozniak: “I was so free-minded and independent, and I was building all these projects and teaching myself stuff that wasn't books…and it was such an informative time. All you need is a little encouragement and examples, and I like to spread those examples to that audience."
Wozniak says integrating technology should start well before students hit college. He believes putting tablets and the latest devices in the classroom should be second nature.
Morgan Moore: “What kind of impact do you think that's going to make on the future?"
Steve Wozniak: "It's not like there’s much of a choice, when these are the devices, the lifestyle devices for communication and for access of the world. We should use what kids are used to. Why would you put them in school and say oh my gosh you're going to use much different equipment then what is made?"
Working as an elementary school teacher for several years, Wozniak helped utilize devices and gadgets he was a part of creating.
"I'm very proud of the fact that I work for Hewlett-Packard, even without a college degree, engineering in designing the scientific calculators they made, which were the hot product of the day, like the iPhone 6 is today," he said.
Now, Wozniak is focused on a larger audience, traveling the globe, and reaching out to those who hope to one day follow in his footsteps.
Morgan Moore: "What is some of the key advice you want people to take away if they come and hear you speak?"
Steve Wozniak: "Search for excellence in your products, and try to do things better than other people have done them. Realize that it does usually come from a lifetime of learning steps that build up to it. You're going to build on things that other people did, and hopefully you'll leave some good steps that other people will build on what you've done."
To watch the exclusive interview in its entirety, click here.
