My students, particularly the K-3 students, need a lot of demonstration and step-by-step instruction to understand the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) instruction I provide. They work hard but need to SEE before they DO! We live in Napa and I teach at four different schools. One school is classified as a Title 1 school, where most kids are on the reduced school lunch program. Most of these schools do not have technology sufficient to allow me to give the students the step-by-step instruction they need.
Help me give over 600 students a visual, step-by-step demonstration of the critical STEM skills I'm trying to teach every day!
When I teach students to use Google, for instance, we need to sign in. Younger students cannot simply follow audible instructions only. They get very confused and frustrated. They need to be able to look up, watch me describe AND perform a step, then perform it for themselves. We need to be able to do this many times in order for them to incorporate these novel tasks as routines. There's only one of me, and many of them. I need help.
My Project
Problem: I cannot project my iPad to demonstrate tasks, which creates frustration, especially in K-3 students. Students are learning tasks and concepts that are not in their normal vocabulary or habit patterns. Asking them to work only from spoken information, or remembering multiple steps then transitioning to their computers, is very ineffective. Imagine trying to teach 2nd graders how to enter a 35 character login and a ten character password with only the spoken word! It's ... not effective.
Solution: A portable projector capable of HDMI input connected to an Apple TV will allow me to project iPad lesson demonstrations at any of my four work locations, all of which have very different computer labs.
It will also allow students to display their own work for their peers to see!!
When younger students can see demonstrations before or during their own practice, they are FAR less frustrated and learning can move at a quicker and more enjoyable pace. When they can show off their work to peers, they get very excited about the work they're doing!
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