I am teaching merit Algebra students who struggle with math. Distance learning has proven extremely difficult. Students have been ready to quit and said it's just to hard without me there to help them.
My students really need videos that make them feel connected and help them "see" how to solve problems and my old document camera from work doesn't connect to computers and only works with a projector.
I have attempted to create videos with my phone but it's not enough. The document camera I'm requesting for this project would be an enormous benefit to my students.
Right now, I hold a camera while I record, or try to write with a mouse on the computer screen. My videos shake and my computer generated ones are hard to read. My kids are having a tough time and I want to be able to give them a better shot at being successful, and this document camera would be just what we need, and would still be a valuable tool when we get back into the classroom and replace our old projector document camera.
My Project
My students, especially my Algebra 1 students, have really struggled with distance learning. They already felt unsuccessful in math before the year started. While we made progress this year, they really feel disconnected now that we're all trying to work from home. I've created videos of my lessons, but my old document camera from school only works with a projector.
Having a document camera that uploads directly to the computer will help my students be more confident and successful as we learn Algebra and Geometry lessons together.
I hold my camera to record me writing on paper and I try writing with my mouse on whiteboard apps, but it's not the same as with a document camera. I can make illustrations that bring the content to life and I can focus more on the discussions with my students, instead of focused on whether the camera is bouncing or is not getting the page in the frame.
I know my students are struggling and I know that this document camera would be a huge help for them. I can't wait to see their reaction. They always get so excited when we get donated supplies from DonorsChoose. It really tells them that someone out there really does care about them and wants them to succeed. This document camera will continue to be an important tool when we get back into our school building, replacing our old document camera that doesn't upload and is almost always out of focus.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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 Dr. Beck and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
