My students need a reliable laptop that they can use to work on differentiated assignments in class.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Sweeney's classroom raised $633
This project is fully funded
My Students
The challenge facing all public school students is this: our schools are too far behind technologically to teach the current generation adequately. If we don't start incorporating computer technology into all classrooms soon, our students will not be prepared for the future.
I teach at a middle school in Queens, New York--the most diverse county in America.
I teach 157 students every day, spread out across five classes. These 157 students are not slackers. They do their work. They try very hard. Behavior has never been a major issue in my classes. They love math and science, but I find that it difficult to motivate them to read worn out books in a world where the eBook is gaining prominence. Their reading scores are not nearly as high as their math scores. Many colleagues believe the current generation just doesn't have the attention span of previous generations because they're so inundated with technology, but I believe that we just haven't figured out how to use technology to grab their attention. My students love to read websites, but they don't consider that to be "real" reading. They love to write text messages, but they don't consider that real writing. I want to bring technology into class to show them how they can use it to learn.
My Project
I want to start simply: one laptop. Recently I was trained to use an excellent website that our school bought access to. This website enables the teacher to assign resources that will appeal to each individual student and help them learn the curriculum. The ideal use of this website is this: I plan a lesson, but I know that some of my students might have difficulty. So, as I plan, I look at this website and assign my struggling student an individualized assignment to work on the computer. While the students who are capable of the standard assignment work, this other student goes to a small computer center in my classroom and completes his or her assignment online. With one reliable computer, I might only be able to offer this to five students a week. But that's a start. Right now, I do not have a computer for student use in my room. With this project, I want to start the process of modernizing my classroom so that all students can have individualized learning opportunities.
I believe that investing in technology like this is the best way to change education.
Many people ask me, "Do you think one day all students will use computers in every class?" I tell them, "that day should have been five years ago." By the time we have enough money to give all classes computer access, there will be something newer and better that we can't afford. If you can help me start modernizing my classroom now, I believe I can make a real difference. Thank you!
More than a third of 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 Mr. Sweeney and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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