My students need 4 Chromebooks to not only access their digital textbook, but also allow them the ability to view articles, animations, videos and other instructional aids to ensure they have learned the content.
Achievement gaps are meant to be closed. My students come to class every day, and make attempts to close the achievement gap between themselves and other schools. However, their efforts however are hindered due to a lack of even the basic supplies
My students are capable of amazing things.
My classes, while considered main streamed, contain approximately 50% special education students and 25% English language learning students. My special education students have a wide range of needs, and need extra assistance in order to help understand complex ideas. The extra assistance comes in the way of labs, technology, and models. To purchase these, I receive anywhere from $200-300 a year and this barely covers 3 labs worth of supplies.
As a Biology/Environmental Science instructor, I am expected to provide my students with an exceptional education that includes real-life examples and hands-on experiences. While I strive each and every day to do this, but with limited funding for lab supplies and technology I fall short. My students are capable of greatness as well as closing the achievement gap but need help getting the materials in order to do so.
My Project
My county is moving to a digital textbook next year that has an amazing variety of videos and animations that I'm sure will not only engage my students, but make biology something they want to learn not just have to learn. Only problem with that is my lack of technology in my classroom. Currently have 2 working computers, and this isn't enough for my 160 students (biology and environmental science) we could really use these Chromebooks.
Without proper technology, I am not able to fully prepare them for a 21st century life (including employment).
Many of my students struggle with school mainly because they do not have the access to proper technology at home so I want to ensure that at school they have everything they need to be successful. I want to teach my students to be curious and question everything, which grows increasingly difficult as student numbers go up but proper technology goes down.
Science is a quickly changing subject, so by having a digital textbook my students get up to date information and examples. This allows me to supplement instruction and teach my students critical thinking skills using those examples. These critical thinking skills are absolutely necessary to provide my students with their best opportunity to become productive and successful members of society
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