2008-09+Purchases

Proposal for Initial Tech Purchases
Updated September 16, 2008
 * //Classroom Projectors = Enhanced Learning//**

Background Information From the minutes of the June 20, 2008 meeting of the District Technology Team: “This year’s District Technology funds ($157,772.21) will be primarily directed to secondary grades 7 through 12, taking into consideration a portion of the funds to be used at Prosperity.”

From the minutes of the August 6, 2008 meeting of the District Technology Team: “Focus is to be on grades 7 through 12. A proposal for Initial Tech Purchases was distributed. Dell projectors were discussed. They cost about $600. The bulbs are $150. Mounting costs $200ish. There was consensus among the group that this is a way to engage a greater number of students. Allan cautions not saturating the system with RF mics (as opposed to IR mics), which negatively impact the wireless system. A recommendation was made to include sound systems within the existing proposal.”

Establishment of Audio Research Team: A group of BHS and PHMS teachers has been investigating sound system possibilities. Members include: John Knapp, Wes Bartlett, Dave Schroeder, Gary Hudson, Brian Wilson, Allan Engle, and Rosemary Miller. This group has considered voice enhancement systems as well as traditional stereo options. At this point the group recommends purchasing sound systems for all secondary classrooms at a cost of $300.00 or less per unit. Sound will be included with each projector, but some classrooms that already have projectors also will need sound systems. Separate funding for implementation of voice enhancement systems was approved by the BOE on September 8, 2008. A separate group will need to consider how to proceed in this area.

Compilation of Projector Needs: A Google spreadsheet has been created to compile data about which secondary teachers need projectors and/or sound systems. Two teachers have older, outdated projectors and will receive replacements. Mounting hardware and cables will be purchased for each room

Rationale One of the major needs for each secondary teacher is a projector in the classroom. At this time most teachers at BHS and PHMS have small televisions in the corner of their rooms. Of course, nothing on a computer screen is large enough on one of these TVs, which means that teachers have not been able to use even their own teacher laptops in the classroom to enhance student learning. As a result, we recommend that projectors be purchased for each secondary classroom that does not have one. Besides the obvious size advantage of projectors over small televisions, we recommend them for many other reasons. With projectors in their rooms, teachers who have participated in Tech Cadre groups and workshops would be able to apply their learning to classroom projects and activities. Possibilities would include Keynote presentations embedded with Discovery Streaming clips, Google Earth explorations in science and social studies, Skype connections with people beyond the classroom walls, big-screen demonstrations and explanations, all with higher levels of student engagement. With projectors teachers will make better use of our huge investments in their laptops and in subscription services such as Discovery Education.

Overall, we feel that purchasing these projectors is a good beginning point as we help teachers move to higher LoTi levels and make better use of the teacher laptops. Without projectors, even the one teacher laptop computer in each classroom is not being used for integration of technology into classroom activities, projects, and student learning. The purchase of classroom projectors will make an immediate and dramatic difference in the classroom and enhance student engagement and learning. Secondary Classroom Multimedia Tasks Allan will submit a bid proposal for 40 projectors along with some replacement bulbs. Mounting considerations will be made on a room-by-room basis, and mounting hardware with cables will be purchased. Teachers will be able to use the projectors as soon as they arrive, and a schedule for mounting them will be created. The audio team will continue to investigate sound systems for use with the projectors, with a recommendation to come at the next meeting of the District Tech Team. Additional tasks from last meeting: • Teach teachers to use projectors (differently than an overhead) and to care for them. (PD) • Find out how many screens can be moved to BHS. • Can we order the projectors/mounts, etc? • Give careful thought to placement of the projectors in the classrooms. Involve the teachers in the decision of where the projector goes.

Projected Costs We project the cost of a complete classroom setup, including projector, mounting, and sound system, to be $1500.00. 40 classrooms fall in this category, for a cost of $60,000.00. At BHS and PHMS 16 classrooms which already have projectors will need sound systems, for a cost of $4800.00 or less. A few classrooms will need longer cables or other accommodations. Some rooms will require special considerations because of size or other issues, and they are not included in this proposal. These include the BHS music classrooms, the cafetorium and gym at PHMS, and the auditorium at BHS.

Proposal for Initial Tech Purchases
August 6, 2008
 * //Classroom Projectors = Enhanced Learning//**

Team Members Creating Proposal Allan Engle, Todd Stephenson, Dayna Richardson, Mary Frazier, and Rosemary Miller Background Information

From the minutes of the June 20, 2008 meeting of the District Technology Team:

District Technology funds ($157,772.21) will be primarily directed to secondary grades 7 through 12 taking into consideration a portion of the funds to be used at Prosperity.

Rosemary, Mary, Allan, Todd, & Dayna will come back with a proposal for purchases for the group to review. Recommendation One of the major needs for each secondary teacher is a projector in the classroom. At this time most teachers at BHS and PHMS have small televisions in the corner of their rooms. Of course, nothing on a computer screen is large enough on one of these TVs, which means that teachers have not been able to use even their own teacher laptops in the classroom to enhance student learning. As a result, we recommend that projectors be purchased for each secondary classroom that does not have one. Besides the obvious size advantage of projectors over small televisions, we recommend them for many other reasons. With projectors in their rooms, teachers who have participated in Tech Cadre groups and workshops would be able to apply their learning to classroom projects and activities. Possibilities would include Keynote presentations embedded with Discovery Streaming clips, Google Earth explorations in science and social studies, Skype connections with people beyond the classroom walls, big-screen demonstrations and explanations, all with higher levels of student engagement. With projectors teachers will make better use of our huge investments in their laptops and in subscription services such as Discovery Education. Overall, we feel that purchasing these projectors is a good beginning point as we help teachers move to higher LoTi levels and make better use of the teacher laptops. Without projectors, even the one teacher laptop computer in each classroom is not being used for integration of technology into classroom activities, projects, and student learning. The purchase of classroom projectors will make an immediate and dramatic difference in the classroom and enhance student engagement and learning. To fulfill this purpose we recommend the following purchases: 1. 18 projectors at PHMS, including 1 for the cafetorium 2. 24 projectors at BHS

At a cost of $1200.00 each, which includes mounting expenses, this will involve a total expenditure of $50,400.00. A breakdown of classrooms involved will be provided.