My classroom is filled with a variety of students, from those who struggle, to those who excel. Meeting the needs of all students on a daily basis can be challenging. Trying to close the achievement gap for struggling students while at the same time enriching students that are ready for more of a challenge can be difficult. My students strive to do their best, and technology is a huge motivator and tool that I use in class daily. They come from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. We also have a large population of students with learning disabilities that struggle to keep up and need some help to level the playing field.
Regardless of their academic level, my students are excited to learn new things and take on challenges.
There is a wide range of valuable resources on the computer that really grab the students’ attention and make learning that much more exciting. I love to see the light go on in their eyes when they understand a new concept or master a new skill or strategy. The kids are the reason I love my job.
My Project
Every student in my class is clambering to get on the computers to practice on individualized computer programs such as iReady and Reflex Math, read books on MyOn, take AR tests to test their reading comprehension and win prizes, as well as work on collaborative games with programs such as Kahoot. With only five working computers in my classroom it makes it very difficult to give equal opportunities with these invaluable resources to the 18 students in my class. With even just two more chrome books I would be able to provide more screen time for a generation that is moving towards a completely digital curriculum.
Technology has a special way of motivating students to learn and practice their skills in a fun, inventive, and interactive way.
Unfortunately for some students, the only computer time they are receiving is within the classroom. Because of this, I want to allow all of my students to get on a computer whenever they can. We are living in a world where everything is digital, and now even testing is on computers, so the more exposure the better.
I am now discovering more cooperative learning websites that are really making a difference in my classroom. One of our class favorites, Kahoot, in which students work on teams to practice skills in a game show type format allows the kids working together. This leaves the kids jumping up and down in excitement, eager to get the right answers and see their team on the smart board in first place! With five computers, my students currently work in groups of three or four. With the addition of even two computers, I would be able to have students in groups of two or three, which would greatly increase engagement.
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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. Scapicchio and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
