My seventh graders have never lived in a world without computers and the Internet. Yet beyond using social media they are largely illiterate in their computer skills. I want them learn to collaborate with their peers online, sharpening their writing skills as well as their ability to work and learn from each other. As Robert Heinlein said, " When one teaches, two learn" .
One of the most powerful teaching tools in my classroom is peer editing.
Giving our students the access to online tools that facilitate peer editing is essential.
Our school is a large inner city middle school serving a diverse population of over 1200 students and their families.
While the socioeconomic levels vary, more than 50% of our students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. This impacts many aspects of school life including the students' access to computers and the Internet outside of the school building. Computer literacy has become the new dividing line between the haves and the have-nots. We simply must provide our students with more consistent exposure to learning, problem-solving and expressing their new knowledge through the use of technology.
My Project
Peer editing is a powerful learning tool. Both students benefit, and those who edit learn twice! With additional Chromebooks accessible every day in my classroom, my students will be provided with more opportunities to use Google Classroom as well as other Google collaborative apps to enrich their writing workshops. Watching students applying the concepts we are studying in terms of text structure, grammar, persuasive language and engaging vocabulary is truly exciting. Without consistent access to technology precious learning time is wasted. Would we deny a student access to a pencil or pen? In 2018, denying them access to technology is equally harmful.
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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. OHara and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
