I teach "Exploratory Computers" to all of our seventh graders and "Advanced Technology" to many of our eighth grade students. We are a 7th/8th grade charter school that offers electives to all enrolled students and we take our students technology needs and interests very seriously.
We are a charter school with very limited funds and it is increasingly difficult to financially support new programs as well as the need for newer technology resources. Students show a very high interest in learning Digital Photography along with other "Digital Arts." Our school also draws from a very low socio-economic population so the financial support from home is very limited.
We would like to expand our technology courses to include more of the Digital Arts, including Digital Photography. Even a couple of cameras can allow students to learn skills on capturing quality photos, how to digitally edit and enhance those photos, and various modes of distribution. I believe this will continually empower students with another avenue of creativity even in curriculum from various subjects as students will be able to show comprehension visually. Student's photography work can also be used to serve the school on a whole by supporting video announcements, public service announcements and more (in conjunction with video production, that students are also learning about).
Technology becomes dated very quickly and in turn so does the curriculum used to teach technology. This generation of students show a growing interest, desire and need for the "Digital Arts" (being Digital Photography, Video Editing, Graphic Design and much more). The Digital Arts are becoming an integral part of today's technology curriculum and giving students the tools and support they need in the Digital Arts can many times be the key to their success in many classes at school. Students will invest their time where their interests are and they will achieve at a higher level when their interests are risen.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Ruffridge and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.