My students need 2 iPads and a Galaxy Note 10.1 to help facilitate our school's mission of be coming less reliant on paper and pencil, and further integrate technology.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
This year I have had the challenging, yet fulfilling experience of teaching some of our most struggling learners. Not only has research shown, but my own experiences have shown me that paper and pencil DOES NOT WORK as a singular platform for them to reach grade level material.
The students from my school come from the urban areas of Atlanta.
We have a variety of ethnic groups and varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Even though there are many differences that help to differentiate these students from one another, they all have one distinct commonality, which is their struggles in mathematics. Not only have they always struggled with mathematics, many of them have very low confidence in the area. A good portion of my students are special needs students that are required to have the exact same access to curriculum that the kids that are not in the special needs program. They have a zest for learning, but they have never been able to fully grasp mathematics in the traditional method that myself and generations have before me has. This is why there is an emphasis on integrating technology into daily lessons and my students being able to have readily available access to it.
My Project
My classroom only has 4 student computers. My typical class size is about 20 to 25 students. It has become a cumbersome task trying to make sure that everyone of my students has access to appropriate technology to facilitate their needs. There are times where I have to split the class up and send students to other teachers, or send them to the media center. I have even had t students using my personal computer, tablets, and even cell phone to gain access to the material. We have recently started using USATestPrep and Study Island, web-based platforms that help students gain a different level of access to the curriculum that they cannot have via paper and pencil. The vast majority of students have smartphones that have the same capabilities of tablets, meaning that utilizing tablet technology is seamless.
Research has shown that integrating technology into a differentiated classroom will help teaching and learning become more efficient and more effective than the traditional methods.
I do my best to reach all of my students and accommodate all of their needs. These donations will be instrumental in helping all students have a truly differentiated curriculum.
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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 Mr. Coger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.