Proposal for increased classroom computer access in district schools

Computer Upgrade Board Proposal

Computer Upgrade in Classroom Context: Board Proposal

The existence of the standard one-computer classroom model within the school context provides students the ability to engage in technology-related learning and allows them the capacity to supplement more traditional learning models with information gained from computer resources. While this facet of the learning classroom is crucial to students in an educational environment that is continuing to become more reliant on technological advances, the truth remains that such learning is hindered without the presence of more than one computer in the classroom setting. Due to this facet of the ever-evolving educational landscape, the Board is asked to review the school's request for the purchasing of additional computers to be placed within classrooms within the district.

Needs of the Educational Setting Relative to Technology

The presence of technology within the classroom setting is a facet of the educational field that can no longer be ignored. Significant amounts of money are being put into technological improvements within the classroom across the country, and these advances have shown to engage students in learning in a larger capacity than ever before. With the implementation of technology through computers, smart-boards and the like, students and teachers alike have the chance to expand on the traditional landscape of learning in order to achieve a greater capacity for knowledge. Recent studies have found that the presence of technology within the classroom setting can positively influence the learning processes of students, as well as enhancing a teacher's communication style (Penna and Stara, 2010, p. 184). Further, while the need for educational technology in the form of computer-based knowledge and use is an integral part of the preparation of a teacher, such learning has also proven to shape a student and prepare students for continued education or career choices in their post-schooling (Carman, Lewis, Murphy and Richards, 2005, p. 126). Increased access to computers in the educational setting, especially for those lower-income students who may not have the opportunity to utilize computers in areas other than the school settings, not only increase the levels of users' computer literacy, but better prepares these users for the use of technology later in life (Hawkins and Paris, 2007, p. 155). In viewing the data at hand regarding computer-literacy and ultimate success for both teachers and students, the inclusion of new computers within the classroom should be at the forefront of Board discussion.

Purchase Plan Evaluation and Resources for Cost-Effective Implementation

The likelihood for such a large-scale technological development to be implemented within the entirety of the district within its initial stages is low. Therefore, the purchase plan will be divided into steps in a manner that will acquire computers for the departments that have been found to need them most. Rather than utilizing a trickle-down purchasing method that will satisfy the needs of higher-level grades before those of lower-level grades, the purchase plan will seek to fulfill the technological requirements of the math and science departments in the beginning and extend outward over time. As most students have difficulties with conceptualizing mathematical and science-based concepts, the addition of computers and technology within these areas of study has been noted to significantly prove both grades, concept relating, creativity, and understanding (Aliasgari, Mojdehavar, and Riahinia, 2010, p.6).

In viewing the material presented as to the goals and action plans for purchasing more computers for the district, and with the understanding that one of the prime concerns of the Board is the financial consideration for the purchase itself and the affect such a purchase will have on the district's budgeting, the following resources have been provided in order to better provide information regarding the cost-effective implementation of such an expansion program into this district:

Additional Resources:

K-16 Education and Technology Grants: http://www.technologygrantnews.com/grant-index-by-type/k-12-grants.html

U.S. Government Information Technology Grants:

http://www.us-government-grants.net/article_info.php/articles_id/34

STEM Grants and Resources:

http://www.grantwrangler.com/STEMresources.html

Education Technology Grants and Funding:

http://www.engaging-technologies.com/education-technology-grants.html

Technology and Learning:

http://www.techlearning.com/index

Computers for Schools:

http://www.pcrr.com/pcsforschools

Computers for Classrooms:

http://www.computersforclassrooms.org/

Scholastic Recycled Technology:

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751246

Affordable Technology: Educational Technology:

education/"

https://edutechdebate.org/affordable-technology/which-low-cost-laptop-is-best-for-education/

One Laptop Per Child:

http://one.laptop.org/