Fundraising for Technology in the Classroom

Hello, and welcome to Miss Hoffman's classroom blog! Parents and students, welcome to this exciting forum.  Blogs such as this one are great ways to introduce new information and open a forum for communication.  The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) needs your help in assisting fundraising efforts to ensure technology like this is in each and every classroom.

Games? In class?!
It is understandable that as parents, you might have concerns about your child using various forms of technology in the classroom.  You might be thinking...

• I don't want my child playing Angry Birds during math class!
• Technology is no better than learning and reading from a textbook.
• We don't own a computer or have the Internet at our home.
• How can I help my child learn how to use a computer if I don't know how to use a computer myself? 

These are all extremely valid questions and concerns that I take seriously.  As your child's teacher, I can assure that these issues will be addressed before we integrate new forms of technology into the classroom.  Educational Technology is used as an educational tool.  This means that it will be used as an aid in teaching your child new skills. This does not mean your child will spend all day playing Oregon Trail or surfing the web.

But Why?
One main question you might be asking is "why is technology in the classroom important? I see technology as yet another avenue in learning to explore.  Textbooks and traditional forms of learning will never leave my classroom (and a computer will never replace me as your child's teacher), but we as a learning community have the possibility to take advantage of all the new forms of technology available.  I call it a "360 degree" education.  Technology in the classroom can,

• Influence student academic performance;
• Develop higher order thinking and problem solving;
• Improve student motivation, attitude, and interest in learning;
• Help prepare students for the workforce; and
• Address the needs of low-performing and at-risk students and those with learning handicaps. (Roblyer & Doering, 2010, p. 15).

Classroom Wish list
I have such exciting things planned for this year, but unfortunately I am missing a few major pieces of technology needed in order to get these projects off of the ground.  If I were to compile a "classroom wish list," the item at the top of the list is a classroom "survey" system called "ActivExpression."

This nifty device pairs electronic "clickers" with each student.  At my personal computer, I can input a quiz or review that asks true/false or multiple choice questions.  Students hit the letter of the correct answer (which is projected from my computer to the projection screen), and students can see not only if they were correct, but the percentage of students who got the answer correct, incorrect, and how many students gave one answer or another.  I understand that not all students are comfortable raising their hands in the classroom, and this tool would be an excellent way for ALL students to be involved without having to worry about "going on the spot." You can read all about this nifty tool and the other cool things we can use it for here: ActivExpression

Another small but really useful tool I could do wonders with in the classroom is a document camera (known as a "doc cam" for short).  Again, I would connect this to my own desktop, and it projects onto the classroom projection screen. 

This tool is great for reviewing test material or vocabulary, as it shows an actual picture image in real-time of whatever it is under the camera (move aside, transparency sheets!).  This tool is also excellent for students to share their work with the class as a whole.  You can learn more about a "doc cam" here: Doc Cam

Speaking of "cool tools," this website has hundreds of ideas for classroom projects.  I plan to try as many of these as I can this year.  Have a look here: Promethean Planet

Final Thoughts
The possibilities for learning by using different forms of technology are endless; incorporating these various types into our classroom curriculum not only allow for more easily attained knowledge, but also serves as a more diverse method of learning.

I encourage you to voice your comments, concerns or questions at the "post a comment" section at the bottom of this page (I will monitor regularly so I can respond to you quickly!). Also, check back often for updates on exciting fundraising ideas I have.

I am looking forward to meeting you all in the future!

Fondly,

Miss Hoffman

References:

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (5th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is an assignment for an educational technology course at National University.  It is not a real fundraising blog.