Having quick access to information is one of the things our kids lack. With few school computer labs and policies in place to keep kids off their smartphones (if they even have one), students are often asking their teacher to look up certain things when they need a quick fact or reference.
Our high school has over 3,000 students with very diverse student needs.
Most students are living in poverty (more than 70% on free or reduced lunch). We have a large English language learner population and many students with academic and physical disabilities. Even with these obstacles, the school feels like a community with common expectations for behavior and academics throughout the various departments.
My Project
Having just a few iPads with internet access in the classroom will make it easier for students to find the information they need quickly and with the supervision of the teacher. There will be lessons planned around finding appropriate sources and citing sources accurately. As adults, we often look things up online when we need to share a fact or a story we learned from the news or a print source, and having these iPads to access in the classroom will give our students this ability also. Knowledge is power, and it is our job as their teachers to show they how to find the knowledge, know if it's reputable, and be able to cite it properly. This will be integral when writing essays, having class discussions, having small group discussions, or working on projects. I can't wait to see what they can do when they have good information at their fingertips.
Students in our district do not have a lot of opportunities to use the technology that some of us may take for granted.
I want to be able to show them how to use "smart" technology responsibly and to their benefit as an educated member of society.
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