Can you Hear the Echo? It is a New Classroom Assistant
My students need an Amazon Echo added to our classroom as an intriguing new piece of technology that will act as a classroom assistant in many awesome and helpful ways.
At the front of my classroom is the quote, "Exceed Expectations!" I always encourage my students to go beyond what is expected of them and strive to always work harder, practice more, be better, and to go beyond what teachers, parents, coaches, and friends expect out of them.
My class is a diverse group of curious, active, and determined students.
I strive to create a happy and comfortable classroom where children can enjoy learning and each other. My students aspire to do their best in school and they are very interested in technology. I enjoy placing technology in their hands so they can use it in many ways on a daily basis. Our school qualifies as a moderate poverty school.
My Project
I am always looking for new ways to demonstrate how technology can be used appropriately in the classroom. The Amazon Echo had caught my attention and after much thought, I am convinced that it could be a very useful addition to my classroom.
The Echo could be a classroom spelling assistant or it could give the meanings of words that students need help with. Asking the Echo would be much simpler for the students than waiting for a free moment from the teacher. Students could ask Echo about dates or historic figures and receive immediate answers. Discussions could proceed without stopping to look up facts.
Students could get instant weather information. "Echo just said that the temperature is 35 degrees outside today, so you must wear your jacket at recess!" Echo can be used as a classroom timer or as a reminder of upcoming events. There are many more uses and I believe it would add to the learning atmosphere in my class.
The possibilities are endless for how we could use an Echo in our classroom.
Someone might say it is silly or could make students lazy, but I say that it is using technology to speed through more mundane and time-consuming activities to allow more time for discussions and real learning.
I also think that the Echo would allow shy students an opportunity to get quick answers and for those with reading difficulties to cut down on the frustration of researching basic facts.
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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. Hansen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
