My students are in 7th and 8th grade and over the years have been severely disadvantaged academically, emotionally, socially, etc. Many of my students have been faced with various injustices and their lives have been unfathomably difficult.
Because of these life challenges, many of my students' education has taken a serious toll.
Because of this, their learning experience has been hindered and has set them back years. Almost all of my students are below or approaching grade-level in all their subjects, primarily lacking in literacy.
These kids need access to resources, such as technology, to help them be more successful in the classroom. My students are noticeably more engaged when they can use phones or laptops throughout the lesson thereby increasing their comprehension and retention of information.
As their teacher, and as a human, it is imperative that I see these young boys and girls succeed and that I am part of an educational system that sets them up to be successful and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
My Project
Technology has become an integral part of today's education. As a teacher, using technology allows me to reach students of all levels and learning styles. As students, it allows them to have the opportunity to engage in meaningful collaboration with their peers and teachers.
Many of my students have shown that they are more engaged and willing to participate in class activity when they are using technology.
However, being at a Title I school in Philadelphia, adequate access to technology is seldom. My 7th and 8th grade classes only have access to the six laptops I have to use, many of which have cracked screens or broken trackpads. I am virtually unable to use these laptops for whole-group instruction, as there are not nearly enough for each student in my class to use one.
Many of my students are below or approaching grade-level in almost every one of their subjects, and allowing them access to technology in the classroom will help them become stronger in all of their classes.
I have seen over time how much using technology benefits my students and hope that having additional laptops to use every day will help my students grow and succeed in their academics.
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