Past projects 2
Headphones for Innovative Learners
Funded Jan 26, 2022Thank you for the donation of headphones to my classroom. My students use technology more than ever and headphones with a built-in microphone assist with voice-to-text and other applications.
My class was so excited to try the microphones on the headphones. It makes it easy to record voices for many of the programs we are using for student work, projects, and feedback.
When I brought the new headphones out, my special needs students were thrilled to have an easier way to create documents using their voices. One student with sensory issues especially loved the soft earpieces!
We really appreciate the donation and it is a great asset to our class.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Smith
This classroom project was brought to life by Utah State Board of Education.Listen Up! MP3 Devices and Earphones Needed!
Funded Nov 28, 2016Our funded DonorsChoose project provided a set of iPod Shuffle devices with student-sized earphones. We use these as part of our literacy program in first grade. One of the skills we practice during our literacy period every day is 'listening to reading.' When our students listen to the recording of a fluent reader and follow along with an accompanying text, they learn to read fluently themselves, increase word recognition, and build the ability to read with expression. This practice also promotes language development in our ELLs (English Language Learners).
In first grade, we had a collection of grade-level books with audio CDs, but it is hard to find durable players that are reliable after daily use by 6 and 7-year olds! The iPods are easy to load with the book's audio files and my students have quickly learned to use them. Since they have one-button operation, there is less chance of "technical difficulty" or breakage, even after multiple uses.
All of my students love the new system, but I have a student with autism who loves the opportunity to control the listening experience himself. He had trouble sharing the group center before because he needs to have the earphones and books a certain way. When the old system broke, I was almost relieved. The iPods have allowed this student to individually choose his books, select the device he prefers, and control his reading/listening experience without extra stimulus from other students. The new system unexpectedly solved a problem I had not anticipated!
Thank you so much to all those who participated in funding our project!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Smith