"Technically speaking" in order to integrate the technology into the classroom, as necessary for the 21st century learner, one must have ADEQUATE technology to service the needs of these type of learners.
My students are autistic and have a speech impediment.
Not only do they need structure to learn, they also need the necessary technology to ensure they stay abreast with their peers as much as possible. As a Title One school, over 90% of the student population receive free or reduced lunch. Not only is the school located in a high poverty area, it is over twenty years old. We need to update our building and technology.
My Project
Having an extra laptop will help one student in particular who can not express himself verbally. He is an active kindergarten student and easily becomes frustrated with not being able to verbalize himself. With this extra computer, he will be able to rotate independently through student-centered learning. He will use this computer to focus on Aphasia (severe speech delay) software that will read high frequency site words to him along with pictures. This will help him associate letters with sounds, pictures with words, picture matching, etc.
His peers will also benefit from the extra laptop as well. Most of my students with autism have issues with getting along with peers. This extra computer station, besides the one desktop we have, will teach them how to cooperate with others.
"Technically speaking" we need more technology in our structured learning classroom!
With only five students, all of which are autistic and have a speech impediment, I am responsible for them to learn as much as possible, even with severe cognitive delays. I would love to tell them that there were some people out there who cared enough about their learning and were willing to help by donating an extra computer!
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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 Ms. Abrams and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.