Our Grant
Our Grant
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The children have enjoyed working on the AlphaSmarts for class projects as well as enrichment time, center time, and free time. They use it for writing independent stories, partner work, letters to e-pals, and whole class stories. We plan to use the AlphaSmarts with other classes. Their favorite activity is "group looping." This activity builds fluency, the ability to focus, and the kind of creativity and collaborative involvement typical of "writing in the real world." The students spend a few minutes starting a story and then rotate to the next AlphaSmart were they read what the previous student wrote. They continue the story from there and rotate again. They eventually end up back at the AlphaSmart they first started at and write the ending to the story.
Grant Application Presented to:
Montville Education Foundation
166 Changebridge Road
Montville, New Jersey 07045
(973) 402-3838
Name: Carolyn Schmidt, First Grade Teacher
E-Mail: carolynannschmidt@yahoo.com
Address:
Woodmont Elementary School
39 Woodmont Road
Pine Brook, New Jersey 07058
Phone: (973) 808-2030
Amount Requested: $1185.00 Amount Approved: $1185.00
A. What is the educational issue
or need you have identified?
I want to achieve more computer
access for every student in a one computer classroom in order
to enhance writing skills and creativity. I am asking to purchase
five computer keyboards called the AlphaSmart which will facilitate
word processing, keyboarding skills, and computer literacy at
the elementary level.
B. How will your project address this issue or need?
By purchasing an AlphaSmart, the children will have more opportunity
to use word processing for classroom projects. The AlphaSmart
functions as a keyboard enabling the children to type at their
desk or on a field trip, save documents and transfer to the main
computer in the classroom for publishing work either by using
the printer or uploading work to the class web site. The AlphaSmart
2000 is a lightweight, low-cost, portable word processor with
a built-in LCD screen and full-size keyboard. It enables you to
enter and edit text and then easily transfer it to a PC or Mac
for formatting and printing. It also prints directly for draft
printouts. With growing attention to the importance of computer
literacy for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, the AlphaSmart
offers an affordable and efficient supplement to multiple, expensive
desktop PC's or laptops. It has 8 files (64 pages of text), functions
on 3AA batteries for 300 hours and has foreign language support.
There is no software to install - its simplicity of use makes
it an ideal solution for maximizing computer resources in home
or educational environments.
C. Who will be the participants
of your project?
The first grade students
in my class will be the primary target group. In addition, I will
plan shared projects with the other first grade classes at Woodmont
School and fourth grade Book Buddies.
D. What is the time frame of
your project?
The entire length of the
school year and for future years.
E. How does the project reinforce
other initiatives in your school?
Writing and Technology are
main facets in our curriculum. Writing Samples throughout the
year are maintained as part of our First Grade Portfolio Assessment.
Furthermore, there will be more contribution to maintaining and
updating our class web site. The students will also be able to
take part in a "Key Pals" program.
F. Can the project be replicated in other schools and should it
be?
Absolutely! I would encourage this project to be replicated
in other schools because you can turn your one-computer classroom
into a multi-computer classroom with little financial outlay and
no facility modification. AlphaSmart is easy to use even for the
"techno-phobic" teacher. Other districts throughout
the United States have implemented AlphaSmart in their classrooms
with many favorable effects. In fact, many districts are purchasing
the units for all students for both home and school use.
G. What makes your project innovative?
The AlphaSmart was specifically
designed to answer educators' needs
for cost-effective word processing in the classroom. You can give
each student more keyboard time in a fraction of the cost for
a new computer.
H. Will your project benefit
from parent and/or student volunteers, and if so, can the MEF
help coordinate that effort?
Increased parent contact
would be achieved through using the AlphaSmart by creating published
class books, and writing samples on the web site. Parent involvement
would entail a cooperative approach to assist in these endeavors.
I. Describe your plan for evaluating
the project to determine its effectiveness.
The project outcome will
be displayed in individual children's work, partner or collaborative
work with peers, and Book Buddies, class books, and web site documents.
With more visible work, children are able to have a greater sense
of pride in their writing. Writing skills will improve and published
work brings greater meaning to their monthly writing samples.
J. What are the future plans
for the project and how will you report its progress to the MEF?
I would hope that as a pilot
for such a program, other classes in the district would take advantage
of this opportunity and allow their children to have more computer
time. As the concept of class web sites increase, the children
will be able to partake in the building and creativity of the
site. Kids + Keyboards = Motivation, a formula for motivating
young writers.
K. Please attach your budget for this project.
Each AlphaSmart is approximately
$237.00. I am interested in purchasing 5 AlphaSmarts for
my classroom for a total of $1185.00.
Ordering Information
The AlphaSmart package includes the following items:
AlphaSmart keyboard
Three AA alkaline batteries
User's manual and warranty information
Teacher's Guide (one per order)
One free Mac or PC cable for every five keyboards
For more information or to place an order, please contact us at:
Intelligent Peripheral Devices,
Inc.
20380 Town Center Lane, Suite 270
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone: (408) 252-9400 Facsimile:
(408)
252-9409 E-mail: info@alphasmart.com
