Classroom Computers
Donation protected
My name is Lauren Bailey, and I teach 3rd grade at Knapp Elementary in the great city of Denver, Colorado. Knapp is a school of about six hundred students, ECE-5th grade, and it's been my home for almost ten years. When I started teaching many years ago, I used an overhead projector. Do you remember those?! Now, each classroom is outfitted with a Promethean board that allows teachers to deliver our content to students in a more 21st-century-learning-friendly environment. But that is where the funds stopped. Our school has utilized bond money and technology grants over the last decade to purchase computer carts to be shared among the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes. While it's a step in the right direction, it's not enough.
We know that our world is dependent on technology. Everywhere you look, you see people (adults and children alike) connected to technology or a smart-device in some way, shape, or form. Unfortunately, most public school classrooms, mine included, do not reflect that reality or emphasis on technology. That said, our students are tested each year (yes, those big-stakes state tests) on the computers, even though not every student has adequate access to the technology throughout the year. In fact, the primary purpose of the computers is for testing and taking surveys (that we opt into as a school to gain more money). This is a vicious cycle that manifests itself in many public schools: if you want money and support, you must meet demands of the companies or entities providing the money. (Just in the next two weeks alone, computers are being used for student perception surveys, socio-emotional surveys, and online reading assessments that are necessary in every single grade and classroom. This means the computer carts are off-limits.)
I currently teach a classroom of 30 amazingly smart, bilingual students who are supported by their families and the community around our school. I want to bring 30 Google Chromebooks to my classroom. They would be housed in our room to be used by my 30 third grade students. That also means they wouldn't be pulled from our room for testing purposes in other grades. When we do have access to computers, students are using them on a daily basis for personalized learning and rigorous station activities. I am able to differentiate and provide varying supports to students in a manner that better reflects our world when we have this access to technology. Better yet--my students love it!
This project will allow us to become the first classroom at Knapp Elementary that would have 1-to-1 technology -- 1 computer for each student. I am committed to utilizing technology and making learning more reflective of our world, and the world that my students will eventually help lead.
I am asking for $10,000, which covers the cost of 30 Google Chromebooks (including tax, each one is about $285 and includes a charger, 32GB hard drive, and sufficient memory to be used for years to come) and two charging stations.
I would love to make this learning dream become a reality before December. Please consider donating to our classroom!
We know that our world is dependent on technology. Everywhere you look, you see people (adults and children alike) connected to technology or a smart-device in some way, shape, or form. Unfortunately, most public school classrooms, mine included, do not reflect that reality or emphasis on technology. That said, our students are tested each year (yes, those big-stakes state tests) on the computers, even though not every student has adequate access to the technology throughout the year. In fact, the primary purpose of the computers is for testing and taking surveys (that we opt into as a school to gain more money). This is a vicious cycle that manifests itself in many public schools: if you want money and support, you must meet demands of the companies or entities providing the money. (Just in the next two weeks alone, computers are being used for student perception surveys, socio-emotional surveys, and online reading assessments that are necessary in every single grade and classroom. This means the computer carts are off-limits.)
I currently teach a classroom of 30 amazingly smart, bilingual students who are supported by their families and the community around our school. I want to bring 30 Google Chromebooks to my classroom. They would be housed in our room to be used by my 30 third grade students. That also means they wouldn't be pulled from our room for testing purposes in other grades. When we do have access to computers, students are using them on a daily basis for personalized learning and rigorous station activities. I am able to differentiate and provide varying supports to students in a manner that better reflects our world when we have this access to technology. Better yet--my students love it!
This project will allow us to become the first classroom at Knapp Elementary that would have 1-to-1 technology -- 1 computer for each student. I am committed to utilizing technology and making learning more reflective of our world, and the world that my students will eventually help lead.
I am asking for $10,000, which covers the cost of 30 Google Chromebooks (including tax, each one is about $285 and includes a charger, 32GB hard drive, and sufficient memory to be used for years to come) and two charging stations.
I would love to make this learning dream become a reality before December. Please consider donating to our classroom!
Organizer
Lauren Landon Bailey
Organizer
Denver, CO