1.

3 Policies, Procedures, Programs, & Funding

Candidates research, recommend, and implement policies, procedures, programs, and funding
strategies to support implementation of the shared vision represented in the school, district, state,
and federal technology plans and guidelines. Funding strategies may include the development,
submission, and evaluation of formal grant proposals.

Artifact Reflection:
The Instructional Technology Mini Grant Proposal completed during ITEC 7410, tasked the
student with completing a grant proposal to fund the solution to a classroom academic initiative.
The proposal had to include a description of the need, the initiative, and the solution; as well as
research that supports how the solution solves the need and how the items being purchased with
grant money correlate to that solution. Before a solution could be presented, the candidate
needed to research the strategy there solution employs and the possible impacts it could have.
The candidate was limited to a budget of $400 with which they solution had to lead to
measureable results to prove the effectiveness of their proposed academic initiative aid.
This assignment correlates to standard 1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs, & Funding because it
teaches the candidate not only how to write and request a grant as a source of funding, but also
how to identify needs and solutions in terms of academic initiatives. The candidate gains a
procedure for assessing needs and crafting solutions within policies and funding constraints.
The academic initiative I sought to aid within my grant proposal was increasing problem based
learning through collaboration and technology. I identified this area specific because my school
has recently implemented and application of the AVID program for our 9th and 10th grade
students. Collaboration and problem-based learning are core concepts for the AVID program.
The two concepts are also in accordance with the state of Georgias College and Career
Readiness Initiatives. Additionally, I wanted to enhance to use of technology while promoting
these two concepts.
My research to find an appropriate solution led me to the SMART Table by SMART
Technologies. Taylor Warner, a researcher at the University of Mary Washington, conducted a
study on the effectiveness of the SMART Table and the impact it has on student engagement and
learning. She observed students in a class that used a SMART Table as a component of
instruction for 4 months and a classroom that did not for the same amount of time. When
comparing students with similar aptitude scores she concluded that the students who utilized the
SMART Table were more actively engaged in lessons and working with other students than
students who worked in the classroom without the research (Warner, 2012). Additionally, she
found that in the classroom that used the SMART Table student aptitude scores nearly 30% in
some cases when the class implemented use of the resource.
With a price tag of around $3200, a smart table was well out of the reach of my $400 grant
proposal. I began to break down the core components of the SMART Table. At its core it consist
of an interactive display and computing unit. When considering these core components I thought

to seek out more cost effective methods to simulate what it is that SMART Table does. I included
these items in the needed material section of my grant proposal they are outline below.
A collaboration station will be similar to a Smart Table, but only cost a
fragment of its retail price. Each station will consist of the following
items:

1 Intel Compute Stick- The Intel Compute Stick is a new

standard for stick computing devices that enables you to
transform a display into a fully functional computer. The Intel
Compute Stick delivers a Mini PC with full-size performance,
reliability, and ease of use. The innovative design of the Intel
Compute Stick is fully optimized to allow you to maximize the
performance of the quad-core intel Atom processor for videos,
spreadsheets, or presentations.

Projector Surface Fabric- Blackout cloth's matte white surface &

1.0 gain diffuse light in all directions so the image on your
projection screen can be seen from any angle.

iPEVO Interactive Projector System- The IPEVO Interactive

Whiteboard System, or IS-01, transforms most any flat surface
into an interactive whiteboard. Gestures and highlights will all
appear on the live image in real time.

Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Wireless Speaker- Small

lightweight portable rechargeable speaker that can pair
wirelessly with Bluetooth enabled devices or wired using audio
cord.

Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad- While the Intel Compute Stick

serves as a plug and go CPU, it does still require some
peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse.

The combination of these items with a school issued HDMI enabled projector simulated the
exact same functions of a SMART table, but for only about 10% of the cost.

Dividing students in my classes into collaborative groups, I would assess the effectiveness of the
use of the collaboration station by tracking one group and comparing their scores through the use
of different means of collaboration. For example, if I offered different methods of collaboration
to groups of 6, each group would rotate between those different methods as we change each unit
(see diagram) below.
Group A
Unit Resource:
BYOD

Unit Resource:
Laptops

Unit Resource:
Computer Lab

Unit Resource:
Collab Stat

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

Task 1Score _______

Task 1Score _______

Task 1Score _______

Task 1Score _______

Task 2 Score_______

Task 2 Score_______

Task 2 Score_______

Task 2 Score_______

Task 3 Score_______

Task 3 Score_______

Task 3 Score_______

Task 3 Score_______

PBL Score _______

PBL Score _______

PBL Score _______

PBL Score _______

Productivity and
Collaboration
Observation notes

Productivity and
Collaboration
Observation notes

Productivity and
Collaboration
Observation notes

Productivity and
Collaboration
Observation notes

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By the end of the 4th unit I would have gathered enough quantitative data to prove or disprove the
effectiveness of the collaboration station in terms of student engagement as well as enough
qualitative data to prove or disprove its ability to promote collaboration.
This assignment taught me that as a technology coach I will have to find way to effect change
while working within the constraints of a slim budget as well as school/ district policy, and how
to do so according to appropriate and effective procedures. As technology evolves and enhances
the price tags on that technology often widens. This makes the job of allocating and
implementing technologies difficult. Assignments such as this teach candidates to walk fine lines
to accomplish the goals of academic initiatives despite the obstacles of price tags. If I could do
something differently regarding this project, I would have like to have received all of the items of
the grant and test them out in my class room, prior to the conclusion of the project. I would have

liked to procure at least one of the items, and actually draw some data to support my assertions. I
think this could help when seeking more money to expand my idea.
I have not had the opportunity to collect the data necessary to prove the effectiveness of the
collaboration station, however, I have the opportunity to prove its functionality. The stations all
work similarly to the SMART Table. Because the collaboration station has a CPU component it
can be used with collaborative web tools such as Google Docs utilizing smart phones and tablets.
As the district moves towards its 1:1 Personal Learning goals I believe collaboration stations can
become extremely useful in promoting collaboration and problem-based learning. At Riverwood
I think the Collaboration can assist in our AVID Program which is based in inquiry and
collaboration. I would like to continue working with my collaboration stations and eventually
model them for my colleagues to integrate into their classrooms as well.
References
Warner, Taylor. The Use of a SMART Table to Increase On-task Behavior. Diss. University of
Mary Washington, Web.
<http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/research/international_research/usa/smart_table_on_t
ask_paper.pdf>.