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We are a low-income school. What are the possibilities?

While resources and finances may be scarce in low-income areas, that does not mean technology cannot become a reality in your school. There are many innovative ways to get your school what it needs, but first make sure to evaluate:

 

  • how this technology will specifically impact your students' achievement,

  • what pitfalls you will need to prevent, and

  • what support infrastructure you will have in place for students, teachers, and for families at home.

 

Below, you will find suggestions for funding your school's technology needs, along with advantages and cautionary disadvantages for each option.

Apply for a technology grant.

 

The pen may be mightier than the sword. Reach out to your staff, and find the most talented writers and the most passionate techies in your school. Together, you can create a focused vision for your school, and apply for grants to receive technology at your school.

 

Advantages: Your vision is what the grant programs are reading about. If someone appreciates your vision, that's exactly what will happen! Likely, those in charge of seeing that the grant is used properly will continue checking in on progress, so you will have support along the way.

 

Caution: Though the pen may be mighty, the writing will be a highly time-consuming process. Consult schools that may have written a successful grant proposal. Decide how you plan on compensating staff for aiding in such an arduous process. Be sure to know exactly how and why you need the specific technology you are asking for. Having access to hi-tech devices does not equate to a better education. How will you support your staff in technology integration for daily lessons? Who will take care of damaged or disfunctional laptops?

 

How: Below, you will find articles and resources to help you write a successful grant proposal.

 

 

Implement a BYOD initiative.

 

While you're waiting on approval of your grant, or if a technology grant simply isn't an option at this time, a plan to implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy at your school may be a more feasible solution.

 

Advantages: The school itself is not financially responsible for paying for technological devices for students, but families are encouraged to allow students to bring their own technological devices to school, thereby utilizing resources, which are already available in the community.

 

Caution: Be sure to have a strict and structured policy in place, so that teachers, students, administrators, and families are aware of exactly how devices can be used in school and what will happen when devices are misused. Otherwise, resources may be underutilized, or may become distractors in the classroom. Also, there are bound to be students who do not have access to devices. How can we ensure they will not be left behind?

 

How: Here, you can find helpful articles on how to go about implementing a BYOD initiative, and what to consider to ensure a BYODisaster does not occur in your school.

 

 

 

Our best advice?

Do your research. Know what you need.

Once you've decided on what technology you would like to integrate in your school (BYOD initiative, 1:1 laptop or tablet program, computer labs, etc) research schools that have been through similar programs to find what made them so successful (or what condemned them to failure).

 

Much of what makes a successful technology integration program is in-depth planning and goal-setting, clarity for and acceptance by the school community, and a support infrastructure which outlines professional development for teachers, a plan for repairing damaged devices, and a long-term vision for implementing all phases of technology integration.

 

 

Get a head start on research.
 
Start the conversation at your school.
 
What do your students need?

 

 

 

Raise money for individual classroom projects.

 

Although a complete, full-school program may be achievable in the long term, some educators may be craving a more immediate solution to integrating technology in their classrooms.

 

Advantages: Since you'll be applying for technology for your classroom, it's up to you and your students to make the most out of the technology you receive.

 

Caution: When applying for technology, be careful to safeguard student information, and remember to receive permission from parents/guardians if using student photos in promotions and proposals. Also, make sure to spend the extra money on protection plans for devices you receive. After all, you will own devices and will be solely responsible for their up=keep.

 

How: While you will by no means find an exhaustive list here, the list below does provide some of the most popular ways to get technology for your classroom as an educator.

 

  • DonorsChoose.org allows teachers to post projects online. The good news is they can be for any materials, not just technological devices. (One catch: items you receive from this organization automatically becomes property of the school.)

  • Organize a "Tech Search Party" event with prizes to entice fundraising from members and friends and family of members in your community.

  • Kickstarter provides a space for those with unique and innovative ideas to allow the online community to financially support their project.

  • SA500 Kids is a website featuring a give-and-get policy. Not only can you give, or donate, on the website, but you can also get, or purschase, quality brands of technology.

  • Rockethub is similar to Donors Choose and Kickstarter, but the great thing about it is you don't need to fully meet your financial goal to receive the money for your project.

 

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