2008 Grant Proposal Details

Smart Board   Awbrey Park Elementary

Total: $2147

Description:  Awbrey Park would like to purchase another “SmartBoard” (interactive whiteboard and projector) to enhance our students’ opportunities for interactive learning, discussions and presentations. The interactive whiteboard seamlessly blends conventional whole-class learning strategies at the board with the ability to interact with, save, and edit digital images on a computer. It projects live images from computers and other digital sources onto a large whiteboard surface, Students and teachers can draw directly on the images with erasable pens, or use a pen or fingertip like a mouse to interact with images, text, data, and software. They can save what they draw or write as a computer file for later reference, assessment, or editing. Primary students are drawn to interactive whiteboards where they can trace or create numbers and shapes, rearrange letters to make words, or work their way through a story, tapping a word to hear it read aloud. Older students will engage in lively brainstorming sessions, and when it’s time to switch topics, or make more space, a quick save means we will no longer lose our students’ creative sketches, diagrams and writing. In science class, students can project an image from a USB microscope and then photograph and label the organisms they find. Students can draw lines and symbols on an aerial photo to map our community, or enter data from individual experiments into a spreadsheet and then project their results. In a discussion or presentation about a famous artist, students can highlight the elements of line, pattern and color that the artist uses. The addition of an Airliner allows a teacher to move about the room, interacting with all students and still control the SmartBoard from any location.

Why is this important?  Interactive whiteboard technology addresses the multiple learning styles and diverse abilities of all our students. Hands-on learners move about to directly interact with projected text and images. The large writing area, guiding images, and smooth surface work well for students with limited motor skills. Visual learners see what is taking place as it unfolds, whereas those with poor visual skills benefit from the large display and the ability to highlight parts of the image. Auditory learners can pair what they are seeing with what is said, whereas those with poor auditory skills receive enhanced visual support. Cooperation is encouraged by having someone work at the keyboard, anther individual at the whiteboard, and the whole group able to observe and contribute ideas. When the activity is finished, a copy of the collected notes and images can be shared with everyone, allowing students, especially those with learning difficulties, to compare or augment their own notes.

Who will be served?  We anticipate that all 470 students at Awbrey Park will benefit from the purchase of an addition SmartBoard. With the addition of this SmartBoard, we will have enough for every two classrooms to share the use of one SmartBoard. Within the classroom technology is becoming more and more integrated into daily instruction. Teachers have received training and are currently using the software within their instruction. It has become essential that we provide these instructional tools to engage students and increase on task behavior withing the classroom. SmartBoards will also be used to support parents and the school community during PTO meetings, Title I parent nights, school presentations.

How will this be evaluated?  Success of this grant will be measured using three criteria. The first method of evaluation will be to track the use of the SmartBoard. Our Tech Specialist will coordinate checking out the SmartBoard. With this system we will be able to track how often the SmartBoard is being used, and by whom. Increasing use by a wide range of user groups will indicate success. The second method for evaluating the benefits of the grant will reach out to students for their perspective. We will observe student activities, look at student work samples, and talk with students about their experience and reactions to this technology tool. Success will be determined by student enthusiasm, increased discussion and interactions during activities, and by the quality of student work. The third, and final, method of evaluation will be done by obtaining teachers’ feedback. We will ask teachers to share their experiences with student behavior and involvement while using the SmartBoard. Success will be measured by their reports of improved learning and enthusiasm by students as well as their comfort level and ease in using the SmartBoard for instruction.

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. A SmartBoard will also support goals throughout our school improvement plan action steps (differentiated instruction, best practices in reading and math, improved writing instruction). We look forward to continuing our growth in this vital arena of instruction.

Budget:  Smart Board 680 77” - $1,399 Mobile Floor Stand - $349 Airliner - $399 Total Cost of Proposal - $2,147

Proposal #:  9