As an elementary teacher at Meadows School of
Learning, I would purchase several pieces of technology with a $10,000
technology grant. These include both hardware and software items that would
enhance both the teaching and learning experiences in my classroom.
The
first item I would purchase is the 87” SMART board X885i4 with UF65w projector
for $5,899.00. This item is an interactive whiteboard that uses simple finger
and hand gestures to toss, rotate or zoom on objects on the board. Two users
can simultaneously write, perform mouse functions, erase and move objects,
while capturing the work to a learning software that can be edited. The user(s)
can write with pen, marker, and other objects without having to press any
buttons. In my classroom, this whiteboard would allow me to conduct interactive
lessons by having my students write, draw, and create objects, letters, and
numbers. Matching games could easily be played where my students would have to
drag the objects on one side to the objects on the other side that match. The
entire class could be involved in these lessons, instead of them working on
individual worksheets. Also, teaching the daily lessons could be done on the
board allowing me to drag and move things around to help the students better
understand what I am teaching. This board would allow me to use Power Point and
pull up pictures and videos that add to my lesson.
The
second item I would purchase would be an HP TouchSmart 420 PC with wireless
keyboard and mouse. The desktop computer would cost $699.99, and the keyboard
and mouse combination would cost about $122.00. This touch screen computer is
very accurate and responsive, recognizing fingers before they even touch the
screen. Because this is a touch screen, a lot of the functions such as
dragging, rotating, and zooming are similar to the functions of the interactive
white board. This computer, also, provides an interactive background allowing
one to write notes and open content at the same time. The wireless mouse and
keyboard permits this touch screen to, also, be a normal desktop computer. In
my classroom, I would let the students work on the computer to do work and play
educational games. By having a touch screen, my students with disabilities who
cannot type could just as easily use the computer.
To
go along with the touch screen computer, I would purchase the Dragon
NaturallySpeaking 11.5 Premium Student/ Teacher Edition for $99.00. This
software program specializes in voice recognition, allowing my students with
disabilities who cannot type or use the touch screen to use the computer. Also,
I would purchase the Smart Tutor software from Learning Today on Reading and
Math for $1,220.00. This online educational program could be used on the
computer or the SMART board and would allow the students to individually work,
while not creating any extra papers to grade or correct. This program will let
the students practice what they have been taught and prepare them for testing.
My
last two purchases would be the LEGO Simple Motorized and Mechanisms Base set
for $136.95 and the LEGO Education WeDo Robotics Getting Started Package for
$1,708.95. Both of these items promote hands-on activities by use of technology.
The Simple Motorized and Mechanisms set teaches the students how to put things
together correctly and how basic machines work. The WeDo Robotics set would
permit the students to be creative and build their own technological objects.
By use of both of these sets, I could integrate them into some of the lessons
(especially in science) by letting the students demonstrate what they were
taught. If we had been discussing photosynthesis in science, I would have the
students build me a model of how photosynthesis takes place. The students would
enjoy working with these items, and they would learn more from the actual
experience instead of simply from a book or worksheet.
