So, at my urging, my mother is finally ready to come into the 21st century in her classroom. She applied for and received a grant to purchase a digital projector (I think she is going to purchase the Epson Powerlite S3 on my recommendation – let me know if anyone has any strong opinions about this projector or any other one), but the problem is that a lot of her teaching is done using different technologies, such as an overhead projector, a TI-calcular television conversion kit (for showing the TI display on a television in her classroom), and resource CD’s that come with textbooks and offer additional learning and curriculum tools. It would be nice if she could do everything using just one device in conjunction with the new digital projector. My recommendation to her was to somehow get a Tablet PC, and I’m now helping her seek grants for a Tablet PC from a number of companies. The companies that we’ve contacted so far, listed below, either manufacturer Tablet PC’s or sell them (or in the case of Microsoft, provide the operating system):
- Acer
- Averatec
- Electrovaya
- Fujitsu
- Gateway
- HP (Hewlett Packard)
- Itronix
- Lenovo (formerly IBM)
- MEDION
- Motion Computing
- Panasonic
- Toshiba
- ViewSonic
- WalkAbout
- Xplore Technologies
- Best Buy
- Circuit City
- CompUSA
- OfficeDepot
- OfficeMax
- Staples
- Microsoft
However, as I’m sure you’re all aware, our chances are probably pretty slim of succeeding. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of how we might get a Tablet PC (either via a grant or donation (best case scenario) or for very cheap (worst case scenario)). I’m attaching some further information below that my mother put together regarding her grant proposal:
Brief Description of Program:
I am trying to put together a pilot program for my classroom that pulls together different technologies to improve academic achievement. At present, I am using a multimedia projector to display web sites along with CD-Rom resources provided by publishers. I am also using a graphing calculator with the associated television conversion kit. However, with a Tablet PC, I could integrate all of these technologies with added benefits. I would be able to use a virtual graphing calculator program with the multimedia projector that would allow greater functionality. I would also be able to use the Tablet PC to put together class lectures that I could then annotate, add to, and change on the fly. Additionally, I could use the Tablet PC’s capabilities to annotate and highlight important portions of web sites and CD-Rom resources. With blackboards and overhead projectors, there is no easy way to preserve and share daily lessons. An added value of the Tablet PC’s use in the classroom would be the capability to save all of my class notes (including annotations) for absent students. I would even be able to share my lessons, as presented in class, with my colleagues. As I’ve demonstrated, obtaining a Tablet PC would be a great advantage for me and my students.
Brief Description of Goals & Objectives:
I teach in a district that embraces innovation and has recently completed a technology upgrade project that has outfitted a 100-year old school building with current capabilities, such as internet access in every classroom. Now that this upgrade project is complete, we’re ready to start exploring different ways to use our newfound capabilities to increase student achievement. One of these applications in which I am extremely interested is the use of Tablet PC’s as core components in instruction. When paired with a multimedia projector (which we have thanks to another grant) the Tablet PC could offer enormous benefits in not only assisting the teaching staff, but in dramatically improving the way students learn.
Background:
My mother has been teaching high school mathematics since 1974
Brief Description of Reciprocation for Company/Organization Offering Grant:
In exchange for your generosity, I would be happy to provide public recognition of this grant and provide access to those who wish to observe my use of this technology. I plan to contact my professional organizations (National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM), Association of Math Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ), New Jersey Educational Association (NJEA), and the National Education Association (NEA)) and local press about our partnership. In addition, I’d be anxious to work with your company to publicize the positive uses of this product in the classroom environment. I foresee this as a win-win situation for my students, my school district and your company.