This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
Students in my 9th grade Special Education World Studies classroom are far more engaged when learning through technology. We currently have four laptops, but class sizes are about 10 students each. I would like to have enough laptops so that each student can have access to technology.
My students are all 9th graders who receive special education services for learning disabilities or emotional disabilities.
They are the most energetic, awesome group of students I have ever worked with. They love to dance, rap, draw, and joke around with each other. They light up the classroom with their huge personalities, and when it is time to work, they are incredibly driven and motivated.
Our school is on the West Side of Chicago, in a low income area, so many of the students come from low-income families. Because of our school's budget, we are unable to provide every student with a computer to use during class, so they often have to share computers or work in groups. Our school is an International Baccalaureate school with amazing teachers and resources. Technology is the only thing we are missing, in order to provide our students with the most meaningful, engaging education possible.
My Project
With ten laptops in my classroom, each student will have access to one, during class time. They will use them to access Google Classroom, which is an online platform where I can post all of their assignments. This will help students be more organized, and it will eliminate the risk of losing assignments.
Our school has a subscription to Discovery Education, which is a great resource for students. It includes videos, audio, texts, and online activities that are engaging and highly educational for students. I would like to do more with Discovery Education, as well as all other online learning resources, but it is difficult when there are not enough computers for all students in the room. After getting these laptops, my classroom will become a 21st Century Technology Oasis where students can use their digital literacy skills to learn in ways that are engaging and relevant to them.
Many of my students will be the first members of their families to graduate high school and go to college.
In order to make this possible, they need to feel like they are receiving meaningful instruction in school. Technology in the classroom makes a world of difference when it comes to how invested and interested students are in their education. More laptops in my classroom will help foster my students' passion to continue their education.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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