This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My students are taking my school into the 21st century.
The sixth grade students I taught last year are "looping" with me into the seventh grade this coming year. I will continue on as their English/History instructor.
Recently the principal of our middle school gave me the go ahead to pilot a number of technology-related programs, including a year-long elective wherein my students will actively design and build a school website, create podcasts, and create classroom to classroom collaborative projects.
The year will culminate in the students earning technology certificates in honor of their work and designate each of them as official tech support personnel for other classes and teachers.
Our class has been a trailblazer for technology at my school and my students are ready to go to the next level. One of our obstacles is computer access. Even when we do get a laptop cart, it has only 20 laptops on it and my class size is 36 and likely to be closer to 40 this coming year because of budget cuts and teacher layoffs. The students frequently have to use different laptops and computers to complete work on assignments. Last year many of them lost work after spending hours and hours trying to perfect a project.
This year I'm looking for a way for them to 1. safely store and protect their work and 2. create a sense of ownership for them that will increase their engagement and enthusiasm.
If each student could have their own 2 GB flash drive, they could work at any computer in the school to complete work on podcasts, iMovies, PowerPoint presentations, and also continue to get keyboarding and editing skills in support of all of their writing assignments in Word. They could continue their work in the library after school or at home if they have access to a computer. They also don't have to worry about whether or not we get the same laptop cart each time we sign up for one.
If you are looking at the state of our education system, at the teacher layoffs here in Los Angeles, at the state budget crisis, at the fact that California ranks near dead last in per student spending, then this is a real chance for you to make a difference!
Help my students take our school into the 21st century!
I will make sure you will be updated on their progress and you can see their work on the web as it is created!
Thank you in advance for any amount you can contribute to this very worthy cause. Many of these students have no consistent adult figure in their lives that can support them in this way. You can be that adult.
Thank you donors!
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. Barker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
