Walking into my classroom on the first day I got hired I remember seeing 2 white boards, an old (I mean very old) bulky desktop computer from back in the day, and a run down overhead projector. A couple weeks into the school year I started to contemplate on spending my own money to buy a document camera at the very least. However, I was advised not to bring anything expensive that I pay for in the classroom because there are many break ins after school hours. A couple weeks later I applied for an Exxon Mobil 4000 grant which allows me to buy a few technology items. With the money I was able to purchase a projector, a laptop, a smartboard, 4 graphing calculators, and 10 scientific calculators.
I know I was one of the few lucky ones that was able to apply for the grant since I am a math teacher and only math teachers can apply; but what about all the other teachers who have what I had at the start of the school year? Budget restrictions are making it hard for teachers (Especially non math and science teachers) to incorporate technology into their lessons. Hopefully, one day, with the turn of the economy more grants are given towards the purchase of laptops, smartboards, etc so that we can at least try to catch up with all the technology available out there.
Sara, I think it is great that you are going above and beyond by applying to grants. The technology you have mentioned will greatly help your students. They are lucky to have you. I agree that there should be these grants available to more subject areas, too. I hope that this soon becomes a possibility. It is also important teachers know what grants are available to them.
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