Techno Kids Are Ready to Advance

Funded Jan 21, 2022

After giving such a kind and generous gift, have you ever wondered how it was received? For 32 students in my 5th-grade class, your donation has had a significant effect on the productivity and learning of my students. My students were so excited when I announced our project had been funded. They have used these headsets in multiple ways throughout the day. These bright students have used the headsets with their Chromebooks as they have listened to read-a-loud stories, recorded themselves in speaking assignments, and used voice-to-text as an aid for their assignments. In the past several months these students have learned and adapted easier to the technological world they are growing up in the world of computers and the internet surrounding their minds.

First, these bright kids have used your donation of these headphone sets to listen to stories. Each day these students have time in which we separate into reading groups. While I am reading with small groups, the other students have participated in activities in which they learn to listen to stories and instructions. In several situations, the students finished early and were so excited to go to a kid-friendly website and choose a favorite children's podcast to listen to. In these moments I was so grateful for these headphone sets from donors like you. Without you, listening to a story or podcast would not have been possible as all of the children have different interests and ideas. There also would have been a challenge of having everyone listen to the same thing. The students were able to choose for themselves what they would like to listen to because of your donation of personal headphone sets.

The second attribute these headphone sets from your donation brought to our class was the ability for the students to record themselves. The students loved using their headsets to record a video of themselves! They were able to even make a flip-grid video in which they could share a personal message with their classmates. I loved watching each of the students quietly use their headsets to record their messages without loud voices or interruptions for their fellow classmates. I had not realized how enjoyable this experience would be for the students and they loved sharing their ideas and thoughts with their peers in a fun way. Many students felt very professional as they talked into their headphone sets. I loved watching them.

Finally, these students were able to use their donated headphone sets to use voice-to-text for their assignments. I have several students who struggle with typing long essays or stories. In the past, they would have to leave the classroom and record their ideas in the hallway. However, this year, because of your donation, these students were able to stay in the classroom with their friends. My students who struggle with typing did not feel funny or awkward about having to leave the room so they could voice-type their assignments. Instead, they were able to stay in the classroom and feel just like their peers. My students loved being able to voice type their assignments, especially writing, with their headphone sets. Having these headphone sets in the class made a huge difference for each of my students.

Thank you so much for your kind donation. My students were able to fully involve themselves in the learning process of a hyperdoc assignment with videos, listening to podcasts and stories, recording messages and videos, and using voice-to-text to complete their assignments. My students were able to gain more confidence in their school work as they had more support from your donation. Thank you so much for your generosity and support in our learning.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Nuttall