We're a high needs Title I free lunch eligible NYC public school whose international community of first generation Americans values education as the key to a successful future. Our school includes every possible type of classroom and we are proud of our diversity. This class is eager and willing to work hard and our motivation, our many countries of origin (We speak over 40 languages!)and our vision for 21st century learning using technology compensates for what we lack financially. We see our diversity as our wealth.
Children understand the power of video and how it can support literacy and science! The cost of this flip video mino HD (so small and simple) may seem inexpensive but a couple of hundred dollars is beyond our financial grasp with no prospects as a Christmas gift for families struggling to make ends meet. Education is the hope of our families to help their children realize the American dream, and technology, no matter how simple or small, is a must if students are to compete in the public arena for jobs in the future.
Flip video mino HD is a small video camera no larger than the iPods on the market. It takes up to 1 hour of high quality video and has within this simple device sound, video display and editing software. You just plug it into your computer (in the USB port -- sometimes hard to reach on the older computers that we have) and edit your audio and video.
Imagine students creating literature reviews and environmental science findings when on field trips in our urban neighborhood. We could even post our videos, and it's easy to use for minimal roadblocks. With young students the technology has to be accessible if you want to develop and complete projects that will give students a sense of pride and achievement and pride. Small, simple, and relatively inexpensive, yet beyond our financial means with even more budget cuts looming for public education. Parents cannot be asked to make up the shortfall when basic necessities are the priority and even those are a challenge to fund. My students could create their own podcast reviews (using The NY Times as a model) and develop their own science findings harnessing 21st century tools. We could even create our own book nook hook with vodcasting (video podcasting).
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 Mrs. Alperstein and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
