This past school year I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful tehnology intern at my school. She worked with my students and me to integrate technology and Web 2.0 tools effectively into our classroom. She introduced us to many tools such as
Wordle,
Glogster,
GoogleEarth and
Edmodo.
The best of all is that she notified me of a technology model classroom grant that my school system was offering to teachers. Applicants could receive between $10-15,000 worth of equipment. So, obviously I went to work right away and begin applying for the grant.
On Thursday, May 26th our last day of school I received a text from my assistant principal who informed me to check my email right away because something was sent to me from the Technology department. I tried accessing my email from my phone but because I can't double click I couldn't open my email. So I was eager to get to a PC a soon as possible. When I finally opened my email it was an email from Dr. Mabel Moore, Chief Technology Officer, that began "JPPSS Division of Technology is pleased to announce that you have been selected to participate in the Technology Model Classroom Grant." Attached was a letter from her which began with - "Congratulations! You have been selected to receive one of the first JPPSS Technology Model Classroom (TMC) Grants. Your current practices and plans to integrate technology into the curriculum have earned an award to outfit your class with the hardware and support you need to be successful."
Here's a list of the hardware that will be placed in my classroom:
10 iPad2
5 Dell Netbooks
1 Laser Printer
1 Digital Camera
1 FlipCamera
5 GPS units
1 DEll Station Laptop Cart
30 headsets and micrphones
Upon accepting the grant I am agreeing to the following:
JPPSS Model Classroom Grant recipient must agree to the following:
• commit to a minimum of three years to the JPPSS Technology Model Classroom environment which will involve ongoing administrative and peer observations;
• willing to submit the following classroom samples as part of an electronic portfolio in the JPPSS Blackboard site to be used as a staff development assessment tool: student samples, ongoing monthly journal reflections, digital pictures, digital video clips, and alternative assessment samples;
• post at least one lesson plan online at Promethean Planet per semester;
• participate and complete all activities in the JPPSS Blackboard collaborative environment (coming in the near future);
• satisfactorily complete at least one online course per year via the JPPSS Blackboard or other web-delivered course (cost covered by JPPSS Technology Department);
• integrate technology units and activities that utilize technology resources to support standards-based learning;
• attend the fall and spring JPPSS Technology Model Classroom collaborative meetings (release time is provided by the district);
• attend LaCUE Conference at district expense;
• submit a proposal to present at local, regional, or national conference during one of the three years of commitment;
• Applicants are required to produce a final technology “product” each year representing their progress towards their 3-year PGP (i.e. website, CD-ROM, electronic portfolio, video, multi-media presentation, etc. that will be submitted electronically or via CD/DVD).
• Applicants must assure that technology is infused into their PGP that:
• meets local and state content standards;
• contains direct links between content standards from two or more curriculum areas and the State Technology Standards.
I am so excited about the TMC grant and can't wait to introduce all the new equipment to my incoming 4th graders. I have so many great ideas and am looking forward to a great 2011-2012 school year!
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