Review of the three Donors Choose Applications

In the first link, the teacher was requesting Kindle Fires for his students to read, practice spelling, and solve math problems. I think this is a great idea because Kindles are a lot less expensive than iPads. I find the explanation from the teacher conflicting because he talks about how he likes the students to engage and collaborate with each other but only wants the kindles so they can use it independently. I don't know all of the functions of a kindle but I hope there are ways he can use them collaboratively as well.
In the second link, the teacher is requesting an iPad for her class. She wants it so it can replace the old computers in the classroom. This way her students can use it for math and literacy. I like that she points out that the app store is always adding new games so the iPad will keep her children engaged for a long time. However, when I clicked on this teacher's individual profile she has been funded a few iPad's. I think it is great that she has several iPad's in class but the description has just been copied and pasted year to year. Classes change and I think it is important to find new uses for the iPads depending on the students.

In the third link, the teacher is requesting an incubator. I think this is a great idea because she mentions that her students love science. I also appreciate that she said she tries to find activities that she knows her students will enjoy and do well in. Because she is basing the activity off the students interests, they are more likely to do well. I think the teacher could have gone into a little more detail about her ideas for the project or how the students were interested in eggs in the first place.

"Osmo Here, Osmo there, Osmo Everywhere!" is a Donors Choose application for a Kindergarten classroom to get a class set (4) of Osmos to use for digital literacy and math concepts. This teacher does a really fantastic job of mentioning what her Kindergarten class is interested in, and comments on how appreciative they are when they have the opportunity to use technology in their classroom. She really makes it a point to note how this technology would not only benefit her classroom, but how grateful her students would be for this donated resource. I would suggest, however, that this teacher explain what Osmo is to the potential donors. I am familiar with Osmo and it's interactive and hands-on activities, but some of those who are looking to donate, might not. With a simple description of some of the activities her students could participate in with this new form of technology, she may get a stronger response. 

"iPads to Help ELLs Navigate a New Language" is a Donors Choose application that I found whose funds will go to provide 2 iPads for a Special Education teacher that works with English Language Learners ranging from ages 4-12. This teacher does an especially good job providing reasoning for the iPads in her classroom. She focuses on how she has seen students improve greatly in their language and literacy skills, and how constant practice with these digital resources helps build their confidence in verbal, audible, and visual classroom settings. Similarly to the previous review, I would suggest that this teacher consider giving descriptive examples of how she intends to use these iPads in the classroom. Other than that, this teacher really succeeded in educating her audience on the importance of their donations and has had extremely positive feedback on the site because of this attention to detail.

"Early Childhood Podcast Studio" is one of the most interesting Donors Choose applications that I have seen on the site, and it's straight out of Oklahoma. The funds from this application will go to provide this school's Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms with the technology needed to "make videos and podcasts to inform their families and community members about the things they are learning about." I think this is an extremely interesting idea that allows the children to experience technology in an entirely new way. This teacher does a really great job of providing information to engage the potential donors with this unique idea. However, this is one of the most expensive applications that I have seen, and unfortunately the teacher behind it didn't provide an extensive amount of information on exactly what this technology would be used for. I think this application would be more successful if he had focused more on the benefits of this donated resource and how it would positively impact his classroom.