2008 Grant Proposal Details

Clickers   Awbrey Park Elementary

Total: $1787

Description:  Awbrey Park would like to purchase a classroom set of student response systems or “clickers”. Clickers are individual hand held devices that students can use to respond simultaneously to teacher questions. Clickers are designed to work with interactive SmartBoards so that teachers can receive quick, immediate understanding of student learning. Clickers can engage every child in class material by creating an interactive learning environment in the classroom. Students who normally remain silent in class can now answer every question without fear of embarrassment. And with instant feedback from the entire class, teachers know whether to move on or continue teaching a concept.

Why is this important?  Awbrey Park, like every other school is working hard to increase student performance and close the achievement gap. We believe the integration of technology into daily instruction is essential to achieve our goals. Research shows that increased engagement of students promotes better learning, which will directly impact academic progress and therefore improved student performance. The addition of Clickers will be one component of our school-wide effort to increase student performance. Clickers, and the Classroom Performance System (C.P.S.) that supports their use, will also streamline administrative tasks. Teachers will spend less time grading and more time teaching. Take attendance, grade tests and quizzes, create lessons, and generate personalized reports automatically! Teachers are provided immediate feedback that allows on the spot adjustment of instruction.

Who will be served?  If this grant proposal is approved, this set of clickers will provide support to three classrooms, one entire grade level. Approximately 85 students, and three teachers will directly benefit. Our school’s goal is to provide one set of clickers for each of the 6 grade level teams, and one for our Title 1 and Special Education Specialists. Twelve members of our instructional staff received training on the use of the clickers and had access to a set during a “trial” period this past spring. Given their enthusiasm, we are confidant clickers will be integrated with ease and immediately.

How will this be evaluated?  We will evaluate the success of this project through a tracking system of check out and use of the Clickers, as well as surveys by teachers and students on the effectiveness within the classroom. It will be difficult to know if academic growth is solely based on the integration of the clickers, but we will look at the academic progress of students using learning technology and compare it to students with less access.

Does this build on existing programs?  Over the past three years Awbrey Park has spent a great deal of both professional development time and financial resources to improve our technology program for students. Two years ago all teachers attended five half-day professional development sessions with the school districts Technology Instruction Coordinator to improve their skills. Awbrey Park has purchased laptops and LCD projectors for each classroom teachers’ use during instruction. We have an established computer lab (35 iMac) along with two wireless labs (25 laptops each). Our fifth grade has participated in the 4j Palm Project. Each year our P.T.O. invests funds to provide additional technology support to enrich our program for students. This year, along with a large purchase of instructional technology (digital cameras, document cameras, airliners, and projectors for Title 1 and Special Education), we have entered into a three-year lease for two computer labs on wheels (C.O.W.) with Apple. This grant proposal will help support the advancements we have made to our technology program for students. Clickers at each grade level will also support goals throughout our school improvement plan action steps (differentiated instruction, best practices in reading and math). We are committed to providing students with the tools and skills they will need in their future.

Budget:  We would like to order one 32 student infrared e-Instruction Student Response System at the cost of $1787.14.

Proposal #:  10