This fall I used much of my free time trying to find resources that would help me integrate technology into my 4th grade classroom. The first grant opportunity I applied for was from the local Berrien Community Foundation. Their Golden Acorn Mini-grants are awarded each year to educational endeavors that local school districts are facilitating and are worth up to $500. The hardest part of writing this grant for me was the 500 word limit! How would I express my motivation and excitement for utilizing a digital storytelling toolkit with my students in 500 words??
Well, here is my final draft that was submitted in September.
Well, here is my final draft that was submitted in September.
Students will embark on a journey across communities and continents in this digital storytelling and electronic pen pals project put on for 4th graders. Connections and relationships will be formed with students from diverse backgrounds through the use of the new web-based software VoiceThread, which allows for safe conversations between groups and individual students that are centered on an image, document or movie. These connections will become personal when students take digital pictures and video while directing presentations that communicate lessons to their global peers about life in southwest Michigan. Responses from their 21st century pen pals will in turn give our students a unique and meaningful view of life in other regions of the world from the eyes of a friend their own age. A culminating “webcast” facilitated by the webcam and use of the free online application Skype will include live video question and answer sessions between the connected classrooms, providing an ultimate authentic learning experience. Throughout the electronic communications, students will learn proper etiquette and strategies for online networking while producing rehearsed presentations as well as participate in impromptu dialogue. Foundational skills for software have been established and integration of this portable kit will secure our three 4th grade classrooms’ ability to connect globally!
This was the detailed budget:
Flip Ultra USB Video Recorder 149.99
Flip Tripod 14.99
Flip Soft Pouch 14.99
Flip USB Connection Cord 14.99
Logitec QuickCam Pro 9000 Webcam 79.99
Nikon COOLPIX L18 Digital Camera 129.99
Kingston 2GB Secure Digital Card 9.99
Case Logic Small Camera Case 9.99
Unfortunately, this grant was not awarded to me. However, the research that I conducted in preparing to write this grant motivated me to apply for the Best Buy Teach award, which allowed me to expand my project goals (and budget) as well as describe in much more detail how the project would be facilitated. Best Buy will announce the winners of their Teach awards on March 3rd, 2009.
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