Mrs. Guyton's Classroom Computer

My name is Mrs. Guyton. I teach 5th grade reading in a small elementary school in Alabama. I have been teaching 26 years and still love the energy of children. When I began teaching, computers were new to the classroom. A classroom might only have one for students and teachers to use. A few years ago schools had large updated computer labs. Today those computers have gone by the wayside due to outdated equipment and lack of funds to update. schools today are pressured to keep up with technological trends. For most schools, the tablet is the most economical way to get technology in the hands of each student. 

I love my tablets. My students can quickly research, play skill and drill games, or read from books that aren't in our library, but there remains a need for a computer or two in my classroom for my students to use.

I don't know of a work force that doesn't use some form of a computer to conduct their business, whether a laptop or desktop. My students do not know the basic typing skills to work on a computer. 

Students continue to need tools to write, edit, and publish their work.  Of course they can write on their tablets (Paper is still number 1!), but they are unable to publish their writings on paper.  For students to have true ownership of their work...they need to feel the keys and the paper between their fingers.

The computers from our computer lab were old and outdated. They were taken away and placed in a computer parts graveyard.  I buy most of my supplies and have tried to save for a classroom computer. I find that my sons' college tuitions and weddings always trump the importance of the computer.

If you are able, help me continue teaching students in this ever changing technological world.

I thank you....and my kids will thank you, too!