Local Teacher Brings Google Into the Classroom

WOBURN—AnnMarie Fumicello wants to get more of her students onto Google Chromebooks, and she's well on her way to doing it. The seventh grade science teacher at Kennedy Middle School has raised over $1,100.00 toward six Google Chromebooks. She is using the online education fundraising tool DonorsChoose, created in 2000 for teachers in need of funds for classroom projects. Each project is vetted, and once the total amount is fundraised, the charity will buy the supplies for the project and ship them to the school. Google is matching all donations, so Fumicello is only $140.00 away from her goal.

Fumicello has submitted a second project proposal for an additional four computers, so her twenty students can work in pairs on ten computers, and have a locking storage cart and charging station. The school currently has over 500 students, with a computer lab, iPad Cart, and Chromebooks cart, but the whole school shares the resources through a sign out schedule.

Fumicello is hoping to get the kids more involved in technology and virtual labs. She told Patch, "Chromebooks are helpful in a science classroom because they allow us to work on 21st century skills like using email, making presentations, basic coding, etc. They let us extend lessons pass the textbook and do research on current happenings in science. We can do virtual labs and activities that we could not otherwise experience."

Students started using Google Apps this year, a virtual classroom that students join with private accounts. Assignments, tests, quizzes, presentations, and study guides can be posted, along with class discussion chains. According to Fumicello, explained the privacy aspects, "The great part is that (in Woburn anyway) we have it set up as a closed system. Students have accounts and email addresses, but they can only communicate within the closed loop (other students and teachers). This makes everything a little safer and more private." She also thinks using technology is a great way for shy students to express themselves.

The Chromebooks will increase access to the internet for students who only use computers at school. Fumicello mentioned that not ever student has access to a computer at home. She mentioned that the Woburn community has been very supportive in helping with the fundraising goal.

Woburn School Committeeman Rick Metters donated to the campaign and promoted it on Twitter.

He was a part of a policy push that allows for projects like Fumicello's, and told Patch, "I am a big believer in how crowd-funded projects can help connect citizens with real-time classroom needs. Tech projects like this help prepare our kids for the workplace and help bridge the digital divide."

Many schools have technology projects, including one elementary school in Decatur, Georgia, where a teacher fundraised to buy a Surface Pro for a literacy center.

Check out the DonorsChoose fundraising page.

The Public Gifts to Schools policy was amended in September to read:

"NEW: Any staff member who solicits funds for a particular project (including the use of web-based fundraising such as http://GoFundMe.com ) must obtain approval from his/her principal or supervisor prior to soliciting any funds. The principal will forward information about the project to the Superintendent including the nature of the project, whether or not the project was funded, and the amount of money raised. The Superintendent will send periodic summary reports to the School Committee. Parents of current students should not be asked to contribute funds in such a way that would create the appearance of influencing teacher decisions about their child or children.

Gifts will automatically become the property of the school system. Any gift of cash, whether or not intended by the donor for a specific purpose, will be handled as a separate account and expended at the discretion of the Committee, as provided by law.

The Committee directs the Superintendent to assure that an appropriate expression of thanks is given all donors."

Image: Creative Commons