"I've been there!" exclaims a 1st grader, as a discussion about the ocean comes up. I can almost guarantee that a 5-6 years old can put a smile on your face when they talk about something that they have actually experienced. That is one of the greatest joys of being a teacher; getting to be there when a child experiences something for the first time.
Our first graders are looking for new and exciting experiences all of the time.
We live in a rural area in Arizona that is lacking any educational attractions within a decent travel distance, especially for 1st graders. Our school’s population is comprised of 76% of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Therefore, these students and their families do not normally have the means to travel half of a day to see the ocean, a zoo/aquarium, or a museum. I want the students that pass through my classroom to be able to say "I've been there."
Technological advancements have now allowed teachers to bring experiences into the classroom through the use of special iPods and reality viewers; taking students to places they’ve never been before.
My Project
In today's classrooms we need to bring in exciting experiences to help our students learn and to keep them engaged. Students today have a need for technology to help keep their attention.
Having a set of iPods and virtual reality viewers would give my students an experience they may never receive elsewhere.
In our area we don't have the ability to go on a field trip, because everything is over three hours one way. These devices will give us opportunities for greater discussions and more in depth learning, right in the classroom. The first graders I teach will get to experience swimming in a coral reef or watching a dinosaur being put together. This “in the moment” experience will then lead to motivate my students to want to learn more and more, which will greatly impact their learning now and in the future.
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