"We learn by example and by direct experience because there are real limits to the adequacy of verbal instruction,"said Malcom Gladwell. My students need to be provided with opportunities to learn through example and modeling, rather than just hearing me talk on about a topic of instruction.
My sixth graders are fortunate enough to attend school in a district that is able to offer a safe and stable environment in which to learn.
Our school is 11 years old and provides them with a clean and pleasant learning environment. Most of my students are eager to learn and are focused on a path of academic success, even at this early stage in their educational careers. My students generally come from families who are supportive of their education and encourage academic achievement. I have so many students who are eager to learn and who seem to express a genuine interest in doing so. Additionally, I have some students who struggle and are not as excited, or driven by, an interest in academic success. These are students I am sometimes challenged to reach and for whom I need to provide successful learning experiences.
My Project
My students are of a generation that is accustomed to life revolving around 21st century technology. Gearing a classroom toward 21st century learning has become the norm, based on necessity. With the recent addition of an LCD projector to our classroom, opportunities abound and I am anxious to provide my students with ways to capture their attention and tap into their minds as they learn. A document camera will allow me to show by example as I explain tasks to be completed. Rather than simply "telling" students how to write a business letter, or a thesis statement for a persuasive essay, I can model by writing out a sample for them. Instead of reading aloud and "telling" students about a particular part of a novel where the author uses excellent descriptive detail, I can project the page of the book and point directly to the passage while students look on. A document camera will also allow for ways to share samples of student work, offering a chance to celebrate published work.
The addition of a document camera to our classroom will arm students with real life examples for success.
When used with the LCD projector, students will be exposed to learning with the level of technology they are used to, both inside and out of the classroom and educational setting. Students of all academic skill levels will benefit from teacher modeling and opportunities to connect through visual and verbal instruction. My students will further develop a love of learning with this camera!
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