Our school has never been eligible for district-funded technology. Currently we have one hour a week in the computer lab. Our parent/teacher organization has worked hard over the years to raise money for technology and computers but their efforts have been severely curtailed by Covid-19. The 60 laptops that were available for classroom use have been loaned out to full-time "Distance Learning" students. The children that have opted for "In-person Learning" do not have access to any laptops in the classroom.
When learning remotely, these 5th grade students are disadvantaged because they are attempting to access their school work from home on older computers without webcams, Kindle Fires, and/or cell phones. I am requesting funding so each one of my students has access to a laptop to use in the classroom and to take home for Distance Learning days. Once every child has access to the same level of technology, I will be able to have more consistency and fluidity between "In-person" and Distance-Learning Days. A writing project started in Microsoft Teams will not need to be finished offline with paper and pencil. In the classroom, the students will be able to collaborate and work together online, because it is not possible to physically work in groups or with partners (COVID rules) this year in the classroom. I will also be able to differentiate each child instruction with some of our excellent online programs.
About my class
Our school has never been eligible for district-funded technology. Currently we have one hour a week in the computer lab. Our parent/teacher organization has worked hard over the years to raise money for technology and computers but their efforts have been severely curtailed by Covid-19. The 60 laptops that were available for classroom use have been loaned out to full-time "Distance Learning" students. The children that have opted for "In-person Learning" do not have access to any laptops in the classroom.
When learning remotely, these 5th grade students are disadvantaged because they are attempting to access their school work from home on older computers without webcams, Kindle Fires, and/or cell phones. I am requesting funding so each one of my students has access to a laptop to use in the classroom and to take home for Distance Learning days. Once every child has access to the same level of technology, I will be able to have more consistency and fluidity between "In-person" and Distance-Learning Days. A writing project started in Microsoft Teams will not need to be finished offline with paper and pencil. In the classroom, the students will be able to collaborate and work together online, because it is not possible to physically work in groups or with partners (COVID rules) this year in the classroom. I will also be able to differentiate each child instruction with some of our excellent online programs.