Sunday, February 11, 2007
Technology
As I was reading this weeks pages I came across the the Five Categories of Computers...1 computer, small group of computers, computer lab, mobile cart (COW), and computers for everyone. Well, I have one in the classroom which is for me to use for work, and to set up my webpage, and connect to our Safari server for the Morning show and the VHS/DVD players in our server room. I also have access to a mobile cart (COW) which only has 14 laptops (if they all work), and we have one computer room in our school (which is MACs when the rest of our computers are DELL). The computer room is not always available for the teachers to use because of classes that she has to teach and the non-flexible schedules we both have. The COW that I use is only available to me the times I sign up for it, which you have to do atleast a week ahead of time. Rarely do I get a chance to use the computers on "a whim" or more than one set of COW's to make sure that each child has one to work on. One thing that I have been "researching" on and off is where I can write grants to gain more computers for my classroom or my gradelevel (any suggestions anyone?).
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3 comments:
It certainly sounds as though you use what computers are available to you to the ultimate, from what I have gathered from your speaking in class. "It's what you do with what you have that counts!"
In Westfield, there is a fund called the ED Fund to which teachers and administrators may apply for this and that. I have received numerous grants through the years for many things. Is there such a fund in your town? Also, our PTO is very supportive of our teachers. Because we are "small", they do not have loads of money to spend, but they are always open to suggestions for whatever we need. I have gotten software, books, and even equipment for a "Kitchen On A Cart". Would that be a KOW?
Are there any ATT employee/parents in your school? I think Merck has a program too. Both companies have given us "gifts" from time to time.
Good luck! What would be on your wish list?
Stacey, you might do well by contacting the technology director at Pascack Valley. His name is Erich Tusch. He did a lot of research when they first piloted their laptop program. He could probably give you some direction.
We have a COW in our school as well. It was originally for use by just the 5th grade students, but we've been finding that the younger grades can benefit as well. The problem at our school is that too many people want to use the computers and there are not enough to go around. Some teachers become COW hogs and do not share very well. It has caused some tension between teachers and then even between the teachers. Eventually we're hoping that we can acquire more laptops to service our students
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