Students in our school's challenging IB program are motivated to achieve and prepare themselves for college. We need the technological means to bridge the gap between our students' potential and achievement towards college readiness. This year, I'm "gamifying" my classes.
My students have bright young minds.
Predominantly, they come from minority backgrounds and are of low-income. However, I do not want their current stead to be determining factors for where they can go in my class or in their lives. We can mobilize their energy by giving them technological tools that will allow them to collaborate, analyze, create, and recreate.
Our school is a neighborhood high school on the north side of Chicago. As budgets have shrunk and the constraints upon the work we do increase, the impact of what I do for my students cannot be diminished. It must be enhanced! Closing the achievement gap involves leveling the playing field between well-resourced schools and those that are not. This challenge is contingent on placing 21st Century tools in the hands of every student at every instance they are needed.
Most importantly, students want to be excited about what they do in school. I am ready to bring this to them, with your help.
My Project
My students are engaged in a variety of activities on a daily basis. Some students are watching instructional videos that I have created. Others are involved in hands-on activities. Because I teach science, my students perform scientific investigations. Along each stage of the learning process, the 32 Surface tablets, with protection plans, will provide tools that will accelerate student learning.
Students will use the web to consult current knowledge on scientific subjects. They will use websites (ex. Quizlet) to help them study. They will share ideas using a variety of applications (google docs, moodle, etc.). We will engage in interactive gaming in which I can assess their understanding (ex. ExitTicket, kahoot).
Moreover, the Surface tablets will enable students to create high quality scientific reports in class rather than waiting for feedback after they have completed the work.
Lastly, the technology will allow me to "gamify" classes, introducing fun and interactivity like never before.
Technology by itself is not the solution to closing the achievement gap.
However, it can mobilize great ideas and enhance the experience of those involved.
I am in the process of designing "gamified" courses in Biology and Chemistry. This will not be as possible without technological access for every student, every day.
Through my class, I hope to breed joy in learning and the promise of economic security for students and their families. Please build that hope amoungst my students.
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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 Mr. Alur and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.