Reflection for Funding Sources

1.     What factors should be considered in seeking funding for technology projects in your classroom? Which of these factors are most important? Explain

In a previous graduate course I was given the assignment to research and apply for a grant. This was the first time my eyes were opened to the extremely generous amounts of money that is available to educators if we are willing to jump through the hoops to get it! Throughout that experience, I followed behind my group blindly as they applied for a grant through Crayola, but our in retrospect, I can see that our project was poor. This time around I felt much more guided in my project, but most importantly I felt passionate about what I was applying for.

Many factors should be considered when we take the time to apply for a grant. First of all, it is essential that we have a project idea in mind, because this narrows our thought process as well as the different types of grants we may qualify for. As educators, we receive resources from our district, and it is important that we first look to the resources we have been allotted before we begin applying for grants. Funding sources also love to see that teachers are frugal and only purchasing supplies that are necessary to further student achievement, so we have a lot of research that we must do to guarantee that we are being money-smart! It’s also important to take into consideration the way in which the project will be assessed, evaluated, and if we are qualified to apply for the grant. Based on my experience (which is extremely limited) the most important factors in applying for funding would be the clear project in mind and the current resources that are already available. This enables the grant writer to write directly and specifically to fill a need to improve student achievement.

2.     Compare your confidence in finding technology funding before you started this lesson and now. How has your confidence changed (if at all)? Explain what you have learned and how it has impacted you.

Before I started researching for this class (and the class previously) I viewed grants as a big scary monster that would potentially be really rewarding if you tackled the hoops necessary to jump through. I assumed that only veteran teachers were able to get funding and I assumed that all funding projects went through major foundations or the federal government. Now, I feel much more confident in finding funding! I think the biggest take away that I have gained from this web-quest is knowing what you want when it comes to applying for grants. There is so much out there and each grant has narrow requirements, so if you narrow your project first you are able to weed out the grants instead of the grants weeding out you! This has impacted me because now I feel more confident in tackling the big scary grant monster! I know that I could find the funding I need, and there are so many different ways to obtain money for our classrooms.

3.     How likely are you to follow through on your project plan and funding sources? Why? What are your next steps in bringing technology to your students?

Now that I feel more confident in finding grants, I would definitely be more likely to look for the grant funding in the future. At this time, it is unlikely that I’d move forward with this particular grant because it was based off of my future classroom. I am hoping to get hired for the upcoming school year, and in that situation I may look into applying in the next year or two. However, with technology changing so rapidly and depending on the resources of my classroom, it is likely that I would need to “re-vamp” my project to match my own classroom. As for my next steps, I plan on entering my classroom with the eye to see the potential for increased technology! I want to find the “hidden mobile lab carts” in the school and be sure that I am utilizing all available resources and funding currently offered. After I have scavenged the school, I will search google to find my funding! There are so many grants out there, and when you have a project you are passionate about you can find the money you need!