In today’s world, even the most basic task is run by computers. Jobs and tasks that once took ten people to complete are now done with one computer. Basic computer skills have become vital for survival in today’s world. However, the majority of my students do not possess these basic computer skills. Much less than three quarters of my students can type, and an alarming majority can not operate basic Microsoft programs. Recently, one of my students was unable to operate a computer mouse.
My students do not possess computer skills because they do not have access to computers. The majority of my students do not have computers in their homes. While many teenagers are blessed to spend upwards of fifteen hours a week on a personal computer, my students’ computer usage is limited to occasional trips to school computer labs. In short, without the tool they are unable to develop the skills.
In a continued effort to create a college bound environment, I try to provide my students with time to learn computer skills. But, without a computer in my classroom this is very difficult. Having a laptop as a permanent fixture in the classroom would allow me the ability to integrate computer skills into lessons and group work. The laptop would open a whole new world to my students. A world that is mostly unknown.
You might say that one computer in a classroom with 36 students would do little good. I do not know this may be true. But, what I do know is one computer is the world of a difference from no computers. Without a computer in the classroom, my students are cut off from the outside world – leaving them further and further behind the curve. In class I have to stop myself from saying “Let’s google it”, because I know unlike so many other students sitting in classrooms, we can’t. I can’t say the words because I hate that my students do not have the opportunities that so many others take for granted.
And it is a constant reminder that even with as much as we accomplish in our classroom, they are still so far behind.
Thank you for taking the time to read this proposal. And thank you for supporting my students in their quest for an education. It means the world to me.
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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 Mrs. Fiore Cardillo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
