Laptops help sick kids stay connected to school, friends


A third-grader at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., Ahmed Hamdi hasn’t seen much of his class in the past few months. That’s because he was diagnosed with leukemia and only goes to school two days a week. To keep him connected to his classroom and his schoolmates, the Lombardi Cancer Center has given Ahmed and his teacher, Lynda Decker Gallagher, laptop computers, so Ahmed can "attend" school while he’s recovering, CNN reports. On a day Ahmed is home, he sets up the laptop, hits a few buttons, and he’s transported by satellite into his homeroom. Gallagher and Ahmed’s friends are able to talk to him by computer, and he to them. It gives Ahmed an opportunity to catch up on homework and interact with schoolmates he would otherwise see less often. Gallagher believes the arrangement is working. "I think it will help him connect with his classmates and it will help him stay involved in school; he’ll know what’s going on when he’s not here," she says. "He currently comes two mornings a week, and [on] those other days he would be at a loss as to what we were doing."

Click here for the full story

Sign up for our K-12 newsletter

Newsletter: Innovations in K12 Education
By submitting your information, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Want to share a great resource? Let us know at submissions@eschoolmedia.com.

New AI Resource Center
Get the latest updates and insights on AI in education to keep you and your students current.
Get Free Access Today!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Email Newsletters:

By submitting your information, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

eSchool News uses cookies to improve your experience. Visit our Privacy Policy for more information.