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
Nothing enhances a lesson like exciting technolgy! When students are challenged with rigorous instruction, the internet can instantly provide a vivid context for students on the other side of the digital divide. Unfortunately, my classroom currently has access to student computers only once a week.
We have gregarious, intelligent kids, who show so much promise.
The majority of them will be the first in their families to graduate from high school. Our school maintains even higher expectations for our students to earn college degrees through initiatives like our AVID program and after-school activities.
My students strive to read and write at their grade level but our statistics reflect the effects of poverty, domestic and gang violence, incarceration, and addiction that threaten their success. Our population is 95% Economically Disadvantaged, 40% Limited English Proficient, 25% Mobile, 17% special education and 64% at-risk.
Therefore, our students have to work exponentially harder to acheive academically now and later in life in the job market. Our standardized test scores are behind the rest of our district by 22 percentage points in reading and 17 in writing.
Despite these challenges, our students work hard to read for deeper understanding and write to express themselves.
My Project
If my students had Chromebooks, then, everyday we would spend time on word processing, differentiated reading programs, and research.
I would group my students so that a third of my class would be working on the Chromebooks so that I could give the other two/thirds even closer attention, and then, rotate the groups.
Chromebooks are strictly cloud-based, so students would get experience creating email addresses, where they could electronically submit their compositions and get feedback emailed. We would use GoogleDocs, GoogleSites, and GoogleCalendars to collaborate, using their many features to see the process of writing in a timely manner. GoogleTranslate would be especially beneficial for ESL students.
Students could select from our library of books that have streaming audio and listen on the Chromebooks with headphones. Interactive reading websites would give them opportunities for immediate feedback on assessments, and a fun way of learning something that is usually quite difficult.
Whether they come from a low socioeconomic home or not, I must ensure that all of my students get on track to graduate from high school, become proficient in English, and feel engaged in their own learning and acheivements.
Using technology is an extremely conducive method to teach students, manage their materials, and increase their productivity. It is the present and future of education and my students especially deserve the benefits of instant, gratifying access that comes from technolgy.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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. Santellana and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
