Lori Eggstaff
As a vital part of the students daily life, it is necessary for the learning center to expand the currently available resources to improve ergonomics and to build the current library of kindle books with course specific books and reading material and text to speech recognition software.. This would increase student reading levels and create student engagement towards life long learning where research becomes interesting, not a chore and collaboration with peers is second nature.
Students in our program are often 2-3 reading grade levels below their current grade level. Improving the classroom environment with better ergonomics, a library of kindle books, and text to speech and speech to text technology will help students improve their reading level, build research skills, lifelong learning, raise their grades, classroom participation and team collaboration. Success will also be measured by student engagement.
Implementation will include the use of 8 wireless keyboards and 8 wireless mouses with the attachment of chromebook "arms" that clamp onto the desk so students can sit in an upright, ergonomically compliant position vs hunching or stooping to see their screen. The Learning Center has eight rectangular desks for two students each and three round desks for four students each. To facilitate individual or group learning, one arm would be attached to each rectangular desk and two for each round desk to give students options for research, writing, reading or group collaborations. Additionally, implementation of text to speech apps such as clarospeak for the ipad will allow students the ability to create high quality documents and read and learn using spoken word technology. Finally, many of the Learning Center students are reading 2-3 levels below their current grade, we propose that by adding addtional titles to the kindle library students will engage and read more and improve their reading levels.
Yes, Orion Izzard is the Professional Learning Community leader for his department. Funding from this grant will allow Mr. Izzard the ability to set an example for his colleagues by beginning the process of building a 21st century learning center environment and helping students with special needs to access the curriculum.