Technology is increasing exponentially. Think about how many times a day you checked your email just ten years ago. Now think about how many times a day you check your email today. If my students are going to be expected to thrive in this technology driven society, they need to have technology.
I teach a very inspiring group of 4th graders at a fine and performing arts charter school in Michigan.
The area in which we live was once largely dependent on the success of the American auto companies. As you might imagine, my students' lives have changed drastically in the past few years. Although our area was never a high socioeconomic area, times have been particularly tough recently. Ironically, the same time our area hit rock bottom, was the time during which it became critical that students have daily use of technology - a luxury that is simply not in the budget for families, nor schools. Very soon, my students will be expected to compete with students just miles away who have had limitless access to technology throughout their lives.
My Project
I am requesting two laptops for student use, with the goal of eventually having one laptop for every student in my class. One laptop will be used for demanding projects, such as streaming videos during student presentations. The other will be used for daily activities. I want to give my students an introduction to skills required to contribute to and make a difference in our ever-changing, technology based society. One of these commonly overlooked skills is simply being able to read and appropriately respond to an email in a timely manner.
Beyond learning the basics, such as email, my students will also learn to complete and submit their work online. This will provide them with invaluable experience with the use of technology in an educational setting. Understanding that the cloud computing they will be using today will be obsolete by the time they go to college, I still very firmly believe they should have access to today's technology today.
Without access to this critical technology, the achievement gap will increase exponentially.
I am fully aware that "life's not fair". However, the longer we wait to put technology in the hands of low income students, the further behind they get. The achievement gap between children from low and high socioeconomic statuses will not close on its own. It will only close when citizens who are passionate about equal education take action to secure equal resources.
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 Ms. Biehls and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.