Grant+Proposal


 * Arts Educator 2.0 - Mini Grant Application

Date: January 17, 2009 Name: Karen Wade Email Address: wadek@mail.uniontown.k12.pa.us

School Name: Menallen School (also Franklin and Wharton Schools) School Address: 7527 National Road City: Uniontown State: PA Zip: 15401 School Phone Number: (724) 438-4160 Grade Level(s): K-6 Subject Area(s): Art

Summary of PPDP Goals:**

I plan to increase student achievement by researching, developing and implementing new methods for sharing images and visual content in my classroom. I hope to improve my ability to share visual images and other visual content, such as videos or animation, with my students using technology. I also plan to research, develop and implement assessment techniques, which could also be enhanced by the use of technology. As a result of my research and an evaluation of my current practices, I have concluded that a portable digital projector would best meet the needs of my students.

//Current Practices and Research//
After examining my current practices (and experiments) in sharing visual images in my classrooms, I have better understood how and why I use images, and what is most important to me. I use images most often in classroom instruction, but also on display with student work. I have learned that in the classroom, a single small visual image is ineffective. In order for the visual image to be an effective teaching tool, it has to be easy for all to see simultaneously. In this case, "easy for all to see" either means a singe large image or multiple small copies (like postcards). Quality is another issue with presenting visual images. Low quality images degrade perception and interest. Having the same resources available in each of the three school buildings in which I work each week is important for consistency of instruction that I can provide to the 700 students I see every week. Usually, that means I have to bring whatever I'm using with me. Portability in terms of size and weight is clearly an issue here. It helps the students to have some printed information about the image along with verbal information. They understand and retain information about the image better when it is presented in multiple formats. Displaying contextual information about the students' works when on display helps community and school members interpret the works and reinforces the students' learning.

In classroom instruction, it is most important to me that images be easy for all to see, of high quality and able to be presented with text. Portability of the images is also of high priority since I work in three different buildings each week. Being able to create contextual information to display with student work in each of the three buildings is also important.

From conversations with other teachers, both in person and virtual, I have learned that teachers use many different ways of presenting visual images. Many use physical reproductions, like posters and postcards. Some teachers use a cable to connect their computers to televisions. Others use digital projectors either with computers or portable storage devices like flash drives or iPods. Yet others have a combination of digital projectors with smartboards. Some teachers use document projectors. Most teachers also said they use a combination of methods, such as digital and physical, or more than one digital method.

Using digital images is a method I have not pursued due to lack of access to technology. I believe that using digital images could truly enhance my instruction by greatly expanding the range of images available for my classroom use at a comparatively low cost, providing consistency in each of the three schools and making images easy for my students to see. A digital projector would open up many more possibilities than using just static images. From videos about life in other cultures, interviews with artists, and examples of mass media, a computer connection affords a new dimension to available multimedia resources. It also provides an opportunity to model use of technology, including copyright and fair use, responsible searching and spell checking.

//Wish List//
After reviewing some of the digital presentation methods I have read about, I decided to pursue the one I could most readily achieve with the resources available to me: connecting my computer to a television. First, two issues needed to be resolved. One was that I didn't have a television. Thanks to my building principal (in one building), I now have a television in one art room. The second issue was the cable connecting the two. I am still working on that one. Even so, this is an acceptable solution only for one building, since I still do not have a television (or reliable access to one) at the other two buildings.

A better solution would be to have a portable digital projector. This way, I could consistently present in all three buildings. Projected images are potentially larger, of better quality and more accessible than the television screen. The projector also could work from portable storage devices if necessary, avoiding reliance on computers in the three classrooms (which are not the same, ie, Windows 98, or XP). Ideally, a portable interactive device such as a [|Mimio] could be used with the digital projector.

Some features to consider when choosing a digital projector for a classroom include Lumens, weight, lamp life and replacement cost, and ease of use. See a collection of tips here: http://projector.lifetips.com/cat/59699/classroom-projectors/. Portability is also a huge issue for me personally since I travel between three schools each week and plan to use this tool on a daily basis.

//My Plan//
I plan to write a Mini-Grant for a portable digital projector through the Arts Educator 2.0 project. Use of new technologies will be evaluated by myself, my mentor and my students in the upcoming months.

I plan to research other grant opportunities to acquire a digital interactive tool such as the Mimio to use in conjunction with my digital projector.


 * Statement of Need:**

The resources that I am requesting are a digital projector and associated hardware, such as power cable, computer cable, and remote control. A portable digital projector that is suitable for my classroom use would provide at least 2000 Lumens, weigh under 10 pounds, and be easy and economical to use.


 * Documentation of Costs:**

A portable digital projector such as the [|PowerLite S6 by Epson] meets the above requirements. Epson offers [|educational discounts], which may bring the [|$549.00 retail price] to within the budget of the Mini-Grant.

//PowerLite S6 by Epson: Overview//
The next-generation of the world’s best-selling projector, the Epson PowerLite S6 is the smart choice for any classroom or boardroom. This powerful projector offers amazing color and image quality virtually anywhere with 2200 lumens, Epson 3LCD, 3-chip technology, and all-new USB connectivity. Whether you’re projecting presentations from your notebook or HD video content, this SVGA projector makes it easy. Quickly connect to your laptop with Plug ‘n Play USB connectivity. With this simple setup, anyone can use a standard USB cable to connect and project without the hassle of computer function keys, bulky VGA cables or tedious screw-in knobs. The PowerLite S6 is ready wherever your presentations take you with a variety of convenient setup and control features. And, for installed applications, it can be powered on or off at the flip of a switch. Best of all, with a lamp life of up to 4000 hours and low power consumption, this energy-efficient projector is better for your bottom line.
 * Super bright and colorful — 2200 lumens color, 2200 lumens white
 * Rich, vibrant color — 3-chip optical engine
 * Reliable performance — 3LCD technology
 * HD-compatible — native SVGA resolution, up to 1400 x 1050
 * Plug ’n Play no hassle setup— instantly projects images from a PC via USB connection
 * Low cost — up to 4000-hour lamp life, low power consumption, included carrying case
 * Easy picture adjustment — ultra flexible keystone correction and digital zoom
 * Quick, convenient control — Direct Power Off, Sleep Mode, Instant Off®/On


 * Expected Time Frame:**

The project this mini-grant will support is ongoing. As soon as requested items are purchased and available, they will be used in my classrooms and their use will be evaluated.


 * Assurance & Signatures**

I, Karen Wade, agree to:


 * spend my mini grant funds as specified in my application above
 * to submit all original receipts to the grant director within 60 days of purchases
 * to provide IU1 with a written summary of the impact of those funds
 * to return any un-used mini-grant funds to IU1 no later than June 30, 2009
 * and to pay out of pocket for any items that I purchase, which are not fully disclosed on my mini-grant application

Participant Signature and date Faculty Signature and date