Hello everyone sorry the late post I had multiple Thanksgiving to go and now found time to post about the grant. I came from the public schools in California where there was lots of technology. Instead of snow days we had power out days. The public schools, especially the high schools in the north coast of California was using technology and always able to update their computers. Almost every classroom had at least 3 to 4 computers and a projector for presentations. I was in a digital high school where we had a user name and password that\ we could use to log in anywhere in the school and this was even back in 1999. Now I move here to the west coast and it seems that technology is not as prominent in schools today or the teachers' are not using what they have available. I have seen schools get funding for technology, but it never really get's used and I have seen schools not get what they want and still making a technology driven classroom. I went on the website to search for a grant and found lots to choose from. I wanted one that was for a private non-profit and the YMCA fits that perfectly In the classrooms at the YMCA technology does not seem to be apparent as it should. It would be great to integrate technology into the curriculum, but I do know that technology is not cheap. It is actually quite expensive. Choosing the right grant with lots of flexibility is important to me because it will allow me to design a classroom to how I think it should fit based on the ISTE standards.
- What is the grant?
The grant is a Dr. Scholl's grant which allows for lots of opportunity in the private non-profit school system that has lots of different categories which can give a school anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 and possibly more depending what the is needed in the classroom.
Dr. Scholl Foundation
1033 Skokie Blvd. Ste. 230
Northbrook, IL 60062
1033 Skokie Blvd. Ste. 230
Northbrook, IL 60062
- Why are you interested in it? Why did you choose it?
I am interesting in this grant because it allows for lots of freedom in choosing what you want for this grant. This means that I can propose an idea and if they like it they will give me money for it which I really like. I teach in a Pre-K setting right now and i have lots of good ideas for what I would like to see in each classroom that could greatly benefit the students' My idea would be to put a smart board in every classroom so circle time and other related academic activities would be greatly improved. There would be no more taping and stapling onto the board of each classroom and in the long run it would save the school money on paper and certain supplies.
- How would you apply for this grant? What would your next steps be?
I go about applying for this grant by writing a formal letter and talking to them on the phone to ensure that what they are offering is actually true and to get a feel for what they are looking for so I can make my written proposal in a way that caters to what they want and to what I want in the classroom. I do not have much experience in applying for grants, but I would like to try and really see if I can get the technology that I desire in all the classroom of where I work. I would also talk to the YMCA that I work and see what additional technology they would like for students' in the classrooms. After that I would write my proposal and have the people at the YMCA view it before I submit to this Educational Grant.
I really like your ideas for this grant and I think the fact that you work in a Pre-K room will bring a great start to a child's educational history. Hopefully this grant is all it is said to be.
ReplyDeleteThe flexibility in your funding is very similar to the grant that I chose and one of the reasons I chose my grant. I agree with you that the flexibility gives you a lot of freedom and allows you to dream and plan without worrying too much about going over the maximum amount.
ReplyDeleteWith a grant like this, be sure to think big, and outside the box! You may not end up with the HUGE idea you had in mind, but still might get something out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think you have a good idea with the smart boards, but I agree with Jessica that you may have to go bigger. You might need to incorporate something to set your proposal apart from all of the other applicants.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statments above. It may be difficult to come up with a unique enough proposal to get the funds. With that being said I denfinately like the fact that it is flexible and that their are no real strict requirements.
ReplyDeleteI like how your thinking about not just your desires but the schools needs. You appear to want to make some great changes to the current set up by getting grants for smart boards. That is a great idea. If the funding works out for you, look into getting iPads. Combined with an Apple TV they make for a much more engaging lesson an activity. It looks like you have an idea of what you would like and that helps when getting the right grant.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea for including smart boards in the classrooms, and I think you could even take it a step further if you want to think big for the amount of funding in question. Maybe try to bring in a classroom set of iPads and get an Apple TV. It seems like this could become the next step beyond the Smartboards in the classroom.
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