$35,000 computer grant puts technology at pupils' hands
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LaMarcus Ivey works in the computer lab at Euchee Creek Elementary in Grovetown. Teachers at the school applied for and received a $35,000 grant to improve education through technology.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
A grant from an international computer company might improve the instruction of pupils of Euchee Creek Elementary School through the use of technology.
Euchee Creek was recently awarded $35,000 from the HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative. The award package includes five HP Tablet personal computers; five HP multimedia projectors; five HP digital cameras; an HP Officejet printer; a $500 stipend per teacher; and a professional development program that includes customized learning opportunities, expert mentoring and participation in an online learning community to support teachers' use of technology.
"Implementing this technology will promote an active learning environment engaging the students in learning," said teacher Jackie Alicea in a released statement. "Use of this technology by the teachers to facilitate the students' learning will stimulate the students' interest and involve them in challenging learning applications."
According to Euchee Creek's grant proposal, called Integrating Technology to Master Math and Beyond, teachers will use technology-based instruction strategies to improve the math skills of 85 third-graders.
Euchee Creek's third-grade teachers will receive help from HP in developing new instruction strategies using technology, Principal Wanda Golosky said.
Euchee Creek Elementary pupils Hailey Lund (front) and Kayla Bruce work on a lesson in the school's computer lab.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"A big focus of this grant is on teacher education, and not just putting new equipment into schools," Golosky said. "The third-grade teachers, who are involved in this grant, will do online training two hours a week the entire school year. We're looking to increase their competency."
The grant is part of $6.2 million in cash and equipment HP donated to 174 public schools in the United States and Puerto Rico, according to a release from the Columbia County Board of Education. Preference was given to schools serving low-income pupils, and to projects that included a math and science component.
Golosky expects the new equipment to arrive at anytime and the new teaching strategies will be implemented next year.