This grant would allow us to have charging stations in classrooms that were not designed for the amount of technology that we use. In addition, once students finish online assignments, they will place their iPad on the charger to keep the battery from being depleted so quickly. This provides for a more efficient work day.
Our campus was built prior to the implementation of 1:1 student technology. Since the issuance of iPads to every student, the electrical needs of the building have changed. Consequently, teachers have a very limited number of chargers available in each classroom. In addition, as the iPads age, they remain charged for a shorter length of time. The charging shelves will fit within the classroom without using too much space and all students can charge the iPads while they are not being used for assignments. Currently, if a student iPad dies due lack of charging, they have to wait until their iPad charges before the assignment can be completed. In addition, if several students need to charge their device during an assignment, they have to sit in very close proximity to connect to the charger. The charging station will add another space in the room in the event this happens.
As stated earlier, our building was not built with technology needs in mind. Consequently, the issuance of iPads to individual students has changed the needs of the building. Being awarded this grant would allow a classroom of students to charge their devices at one time without having to congregate in one place within the classroom. In addition, it allows for more engaged instruction. Student iPads can be placed on the charger during direct instruction time allowing for fewer distractions. Plus, instead of reading on iPads, which isn’t necessarily a negative, students can read a book that they hold in their hands, work with manipulatives, or other hands-on projects. Sage journals reported the following research. “We quantitatively reviewed 39 studies reported in 30 articles (n = 1,812 children) and compared children’s story comprehension and vocabulary learning in relation to medium (reading on paper versus on-screen), design enhancements in digital books, the presence of a dictionary, and adult support for children aged between 1 and 8 years. The comparison of digital versus paper books that only differed by digitization showed lower comprehension scores for digital books. Adults’ mediation during print books’ reading was more effective than the enhancements in digital books read by children independently.” Once direct instruction has taken place, students can access their iPad to complete assignments, enrichment activities assigned by the teacher, and prepare for local and state testing by using different platforms and features. Each third-grade classroom teacher will be assigned a cart that will be in a central location within the classroom. Currently, there is one large charging station to serve each hallway. Unfortunately, that does not meet the needs of the campus. We expect that we will have approximately 150-160 third-grade students in the next school year. The carts will be available to service those students as well as students in the future. As the campus grows, carts can either be provided by campus, administration, or grants. This grant would meet the district and campus plans in that it allows each student to use their iPad to advance their knowledge and technological skills, while also providing students a better way to charge their devices in class, be fully engaged, and succeed in all aspects of learning.
Our campus was built prior to the implementation of 1:1 student technology. Since the issuance of iPads to every student, the electrical needs of the building have changed. Consequently, teachers have a very limited number of chargers available in each classroom. In addition, as the iPads age, they remain charged for a shorter length of time. The charging shelves will fit within the classroom without using too much space and all students can charge the iPads while they are not being used for assignments. Currently, if a student iPad dies due lack of charging, they have to wait until their iPad charges before the assignment can be completed. In addition, if several students need to charge their device during an assignment, they have to sit in very close proximity to connect to the charger. The charging station will add another space in the room in the event this happens.
As stated earlier, our building was not built with technology needs in mind. Consequently, the issuance of iPads to individual students has changed the needs of the building. Being awarded this grant would allow a classroom of students to charge their devices at one time without having to congregate in one place within the classroom. In addition, it allows for more engaged instruction. Student iPads can be placed on the charger during direct instruction time allowing for fewer distractions. Plus, instead of reading on iPads, which isn’t necessarily a negative, students can read a book that they hold in their hands, work with manipulatives, or other hands-on projects. Sage journals reported the following research. “We quantitatively reviewed 39 studies reported in 30 articles (n = 1,812 children) and compared children’s story comprehension and vocabulary learning in relation to medium (reading on paper versus on-screen), design enhancements in digital books, the presence of a dictionary, and adult support for children aged between 1 and 8 years. The comparison of digital versus paper books that only differed by digitization showed lower comprehension scores for digital books. Adults’ mediation during print books’ reading was more effective than the enhancements in digital books read by children independently.” Once direct instruction has taken place, students can access their iPad to complete assignments, enrichment activities assigned by the teacher, and prepare for local and state testing by using different platforms and features. Each third-grade classroom teacher will be assigned a cart that will be in a central location within the classroom. Currently, there is one large charging station to serve each hallway. Unfortunately, that does not meet the needs of the campus. We expect that we will have approximately 150-160 third-grade students in the next school year. The carts will be available to service those students as well as students in the future. As the campus grows, carts can either be provided by campus, administration, or grants. This grant would meet the district and campus plans in that it allows each student to use their iPad to advance their knowledge and technological skills, while also providing students a better way to charge their devices in class, be fully engaged, and succeed in all aspects of learning.
$3,544
Value:
priceless