Funny thing happened this week. I began working on my grant assignment one day and then the next, I found something for our school to use the grant on. My team teacher and I are the tech nerds on our team and we always seem to be finding new ways of implementing technology into the classroom. We were trying to use the school's iPod cart for a lesson when we realized that we needed the updated iPod Touches in order to do the lesson. After we realized that, I told my team teacher of a grant we could work on to help fund buying the devices. Until then, we will be adapting our lessons to the technology we currently have available. We were able to have students use their iPhones for part of the lesson and they are now able to use their iPhones to stay connected to education.
Reading about the grants available to teachers was eye-opening! I did not realize there was so much funding available for education. We just have to go out and find it. I searched the School Funding site as well as the NEA site to see all the cool lessons, activities and projects teachers were doing in the classroom with grants they were awarded. One thing I learned was how important it was to plan ahead when applying for grants. People who award grants want to see what the grant is going towards and to make sure the grant money will be used in a way that engages students in critical thinking and problem solving and is aligned to educational standards.
I've heard of grant writing workshops before but never really though it would be something that pertained to me. I was so wrong! We have a time during the school year when proposals for mini-grants are taken and I've never written anything for it before. Now that I have a better idea of what I can do with technology and education in the classroom, I will probably be looking to write these grants to fund some of my "dream" projects.
It still blows my mind that the kids are using their iPhones and iPod Touches for lessons. That's just so cool. The fact that you found a grant that you can apply for and have a use for right now is great!
ReplyDeleteJust like you, I looked at all those grant writing classes and thought "No thanks. Not for me." Now I'm ready to learn more so I can get funds that will work at my school and more specifically - in my class.
I agree with Yvonne. I love the use of iPods and iPhones that is going on in your classroom! I hope I have access to them in my school one day!
ReplyDeleteGrant writing is intense. I was able to find some grants that were actually very simple to complete. The grant I posted for class was pretty much a one page application with a write up about the lesson or unit that the grant monies would be used for. I thought that it would be pretty realistic for me to complete. I really love the idea of grant writing for technology use in the classroom. What a great way to get the resources that students usually don't get the opportunity to use!