I teach technology and 21st Century Skills to 600+ wonderful students every week in kindergarten through 5th grade. My school services a very diverse, high poverty, high English language learner population. We are one of only three elementary schools in our district who provides a technology lab run by an actual technology teacher. The aim of this lab is not only to teach technology, but also to bring projects from their core content classrooms into the lab and enhance all areas of the curriculum through the use of technology. This is an opportunity that is helping our students to thrive and become creative and critical thinkers who are learning skills they desperately need to succeed in the future.
My students are beating the odds through technology and core curriculum integration.
Part of my plan for increasing the use of hands on technology applications is to implement projects that include movies and multi-media presentations created by the students. My computer lab lacks any digital video cameras and headphone/microphone sets to make this possible. Many of my students do not have access to video cameras at home, and this will allow them an opportunity to learn real world skills. These are very creative students who are highly engaged in learning about all the different things technology can do in this great big world.
My students would benefit from a small supply of FLIP digital video cameras to check out for use in completing small group projects that enhance their learning in all areas of the curriculum. Not only will they learn how to use technologies that many of them do not have exposure to at home, but they will be sharing their knowledge with other students both within our school and on a global level. This enhances the education of untold numbers of other children as well.
Any help you can give to this project will help my students to get one step closer to realizing the power that technology can truly have in their lives, and on their education. It will enhance teamwork, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, application of skills, and knowledge sharing to a global audience. Most importantly it will give them an unexpected tool to use that will put a smile on each face in our school.
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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 Mrs. Whitaker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.