Money is definitely “tight” in public schools, many sources of funding have been severely reduced or eliminated. How do you “fight” the response of educators who may say, I don’t have any money for technology”?
Technology funding is not a choice in our public school systems. Technology funding is a necessity like electric and teachers' salaries. Even the state mandated (SOL) tests are now online. Although the federal and state technology funding has been reduced there are private sources of funding. Many corporations have programs which contribute a percentage of their spending to various schools within their communities. The private sector also offers many grants to the public school system that could be used for technology. All you need to do is inquire directly or have your school/county technology dept inquire.
In today's fast paced society technology is essential in keeping up with our busy lives. People use technology to pay bills, check bank statements, communicate, a way of transportation, and countless other ways. Why should education be any different. Children do not learn the same as people 10 years ago and children 10 years from now will not learn the same as children today. Schools should strive to bridge the gap between traditional teaching and new innovative teaching strategies to help generate an effective learning environment. There are always different opportunities to raise a little money. As administrators we need to build our relationship with the community. Asking businesses to partner with the school to acquire whatever the gap is for technology is very helpful both in the short and long run.
Often times it is forgotten how technology can improve efficiency, thus decreasing spending in other areas. The most obvious place that technology saves money is in personnel costs. With the right technology, it is likely that schools could decrease the number of support personnel necessary to perform clerical services. Technology can also increase productivity of employees such as school social workers and guidance counselors, allowing fewer people to do a greater amount of work. So, while the bill may seem large, it is imperative to do a cost/benefit analysis to realize the savings involved from allocating funding to technology.
This situation is happening everywhere and most are just happy to still have a job. I am fortunate to work with a principal who is willing to listen and try to obtain what we need for effective instruction. She is always wanting to know what we are using and how we can utilize more technology in the classroom. For example, we have Study Island which is a web based program that enhances student involvement and comprehension. Since money is so tight she has asked our PTO for help with keeping this program. I feel as a school leader she has given me great steps to follow to find resources, grants, and money wherever you can. As a school leader you must also decide what does not work and omit that from your budget to create more lee way for other technology programs. Even with textbooks, we have backed off greatly with just keeping one set of books per classroom and worked with the PTO and other community members to help buy iPods for our older students to use educational apps to practice certain subject matter. I feel that this is a big problem, but with the right decision-making, it can be obtained.
Technology is the way of life today. There might be a fear factor underlying someone feeling this way. We need to assess the true motives of those not wanting to move forward and address their concerns in a positive and win win situation. There are so many grant opportunities available to schools and lots of business partnerships and fundraising ideas to implement. The PTO is a great resource. Our school just raised $1,700 parking cars for the VT game last week. If you can be creative, you can find the money. Angie Cornett
I believe that living and teaching in the 21st century doesnt allow for educators to give up so easily and using the excuse of not having the funding. There isnt funding for anything in schools today so whats the difference. We must research and find ways to fund the things we need and technology resources should be number 1. If we are to prepare todays youth for society around them then technology is vital. There are plenty of resources inside and outside the school community to acquire the funding for technology. All it takes is some time and effort to locate the right source for funding......
In the world of education today technology is not an option it is a must. Educators can no longer say I don't have the money for technology because they do and if they don't there are plenty of ways to get it. I know many public schools use the PTO and grants to get the money they need to by technology resources. Students cannot survive in today's job market without knowing how to use technology. Therefore, not allowing them to have access to technology and saying there is no money for it is not an option.
At the high school level especially, technology is no longer a frivolous option. Technology is now how teachers are “meeting students where they are” and preparing students for the “real world”. While there would be resistance from staff, there is technology equipment that could replace consumable materials and perhaps, if well cared for, would save money in the long run.
The world has evolved to be dependent upon technology. Business owners and corporations are aware how essential it is for educators to have the funds to educate future employees. The business world will provide funds to local schools as an investment for their company if the school leaders will take the time to ask for the funds. Large corporations are required to donate an allotment of funds to local foundations as a means of public relations. Many grants are given out each year, and if educators research these they will find the funds they need.
If an educator says " I don’t have any money for technology" then I would have to respond by saying "did you look for any resources or money?"
There are tons of free education applications out there (the web) that can be used by anyone especially teachers. There is also an abundance of grant money for technology. Even if there is a lack of money, there are creative things you can do to be technology savvy. If educators choose to sit by and watch the technology bus pass us by, then we are in a deep amount of trouble. This is because we are not giving our students the opportunity to compete with the rest of our society or world.
Technology in the classroom is a must in this day and age. There is a ton of money out there if one is willing to take the time to take the time to write a grant, be creative in fund raising, etc. I worked for a principal who got permission from the superintendent to use a portion of our textbook money toward purchasing SmartBoards for a few classrooms. He realized the importance of technology and was willing to make sacrifices in order to get the technology. I know that those teachers who received the SmartBoards were extremely grateful that they worked for a principal who respects the need for technology.
I agree that technology is a must in today's school. As a guidance counselor, I work with students and direct them on how to enroll themselves in their schedule in PowerSchool for the following school year. We have to meet the students "where they are" and live in their world. There are many ways to raise money or get money when you have a supportive principal. Fundraising and collaborating with local businesses are great ideas.
In our private day school we have found a way around spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on technology and still generally get the same result. We buy used equipment, i.e., computers, smart boards, lap tops, printers, etc. This saves us a ton of money and we still are able to use technology in our classrooms. Can it be a pain? Absolutly! But somehow we have found a way to save money and still implement technology. So no one sgould ever say they do not have enough money for technology, there are always to get what you need.
Grants will need to be an integral part of technology in the upcoming years. Especially with budgets as tight as they are at the moment. Divisions will have to be creative or they will get left behind and children do not deserve that. Divisions and individual schools will need to go out and search for money for technology. Shane
The notion that school systems do not have enough money for technology use in the classroom is ludicrous. I understand finances are not plentiful, but grant monies have been bookmarked for school divisions to utilize. If I faced administrators or public officials who were not open to allocating funds for technology use, I might inquire into how the money from the Virginia VPSA funding initiative is being handled? Maybe ask for an independent audit? j/k….
This is tricky, because designating more money for technology could possibly mean less money for personnel, which will not only hit serious resistance from the workers but also sends a bad message: technology over people, 'stuff' valued over careers. The goal is to keep people and advance technology, which could mean: using less paper and more digital correspondence, using shared documents for brain-storming sessions instead of meetings, etc. When every thing is being cut, technology can be flexible.
I would focus on the utilization of the technology that is already available. My experience has been that most of the teachers in my school are either unaware of what we have available or they simply are too lazy to explore and learn something new. There is lots of resources to be utilized and I would say there are few teachers who take advantage of what is already there. Jake Leonard
Money is always available for technology, you just have to know where to look. Using existing technology, applying for grants to aid in technology, partnering with local companies focued on using technology, and saving in other areas are ways to get money for technology. Sam Reed
I absolutely agree that as educators, we cannot forego technology because of funding. Many parents are willing to purchase items for their student's classroom, and local businesses tend to help out in any way they can. It takes persistance on the part of the educators and administrators to find ways to purchase devices to enhance learning, and to find funding, or volunteers to train the educators on proper use of these devices.
If educator's are saying that technology budgets are tight, they are obviously not looking for other ways to fund or are not aware of how much money each school district actually gets just for technology. There are an abundance of grants and money available out there it just takes a bit more research and work than just asking the person in charge of finances for technology money.
First there is some funding that is already allocated to technology by the state. It must be made clear to stakeholders that this has to be spent on technology or the funding is sacrificed. Allocating additional funds can be an issue just like funding for any other area.The issue then becomes making a priority and then getting the most of the resources allocated to it. Like others have said, there are ways to use technology to save money essentially making it pay for its self. Additionally, it is important to buy durable and flexible technology that can be used for years.
We cannot afford to reduce the amount of funding in the area of technology. We are already lagging behind in our educational use of technology. Our students are more comfortable using technology on a daily basis than most of us are. We can present more interesting lessons, often using less paper and copier ink. We can communicate with students, parents and each other more effectively and in a timely manner using technology. Teachers need to be aware of the most current technology available to improve their instruction. Teachers need to make leaders aware their technology needs apply for grants and other funding options. Misty Zyvoloski
Technology and funding are two words that must be in a public school vocabulary. With grant money that is guided by state /federal funding it is not a choice but a must that schools use VPSA funding for what it's purpose is. I might be inclined to ask where this money is going if I am told there is no funding for updating, adding, or increasing the amount of technology in our school system. Just keeping up with bandwidth and availibility for state mandated testing would be something to inquire about.
When money is tight is when we need to consider creative solutions to situations that in the past would have been paid for automatically with school/division funds. In our school division we began to look at how we could use existing technologies more efficiently to meet our needs. Our math curriculum development team really wanted curriculum guides printed for each teacher and the division leaders said , “Sorry, there is no money for this.” So we made the transition from paper to electronic and all our documents are now on the web easily accessed by all teachers from work or at home. Technology was the solution for us. Sometimes we don’t realize how we might use our existing technology in a new way.
So many of the applications that are fresh and new are free! Anyone with a PC and an internet connection has access to a wide array of resources. Administrators, especially at the county level, need to make the aquisition of technology for use in the classroom a priority. Grant writing can be a tedious, painstaking process but the benefits are fantastic - the money is out there, it just takes some searching (and sometimes a bit of luck) to find it. Kelly Russell
Technology plays a vital role in our everyday life. Technology is a fast way to get information out to a vast number of people all over the world. With that in mind, the internet could be used as a valuable tool in helping schools locate various grant funds that would be beneficial in securing technology improvements within the school. Other technology funding support systems that could be utilized or contacted for support would be nonprofit organizations, community donations, fundraisers, local companies, and computer system corporations such as Dell and Gateway.
Technology funding is not a choice in our public school systems. Technology funding is a necessity like electric and teachers' salaries. Even the state mandated (SOL) tests are now online. Although the federal and state technology funding has been reduced there are private sources of funding. Many corporations have programs which contribute a percentage of their spending to various schools within their communities. The private sector also offers many grants to the public school system that could be used for technology. All you need to do is inquire directly or have your school/county technology dept inquire.
ReplyDeleteIn today's fast paced society technology is essential in keeping up with our busy lives. People use technology to pay bills, check bank statements, communicate, a way of transportation, and countless other ways. Why should education be any different. Children do not learn the same as people 10 years ago and children 10 years from now will not learn the same as children today. Schools should strive to bridge the gap between traditional teaching and new innovative teaching strategies to help generate an effective learning environment. There are always different opportunities to raise a little money. As administrators we need to build our relationship with the community. Asking businesses to partner with the school to acquire whatever the gap is for technology is very helpful both in the short and long run.
ReplyDeleteOften times it is forgotten how technology can improve efficiency, thus decreasing spending in other areas. The most obvious place that technology saves money is in personnel costs. With the right technology, it is likely that schools could decrease the number of support personnel necessary to perform clerical services. Technology can also increase productivity of employees such as school social workers and guidance counselors, allowing fewer people to do a greater amount of work. So, while the bill may seem large, it is imperative to do a cost/benefit analysis to realize the savings involved from allocating funding to technology.
ReplyDeleteGood positive approaches presented thus far.
ReplyDeleteThis situation is happening everywhere and most are just happy to still have a job. I am fortunate to work with a principal who is willing to listen and try to obtain what we need for effective instruction. She is always wanting to know what we are using and how we can utilize more technology in the classroom. For example, we have Study Island which is a web based program that enhances student involvement and comprehension. Since money is so tight she has asked our PTO for help with keeping this program. I feel as a school leader she has given me great steps to follow to find resources, grants, and money wherever you can. As a school leader you must also decide what does not work and omit that from your budget to create more lee way for other technology programs. Even with textbooks, we have backed off greatly with just keeping one set of books per classroom and worked with the PTO and other community members to help buy iPods for our older students to use educational apps to practice certain subject matter. I feel that this is a big problem, but with the right decision-making, it can be obtained.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is the way of life today. There might be a fear factor underlying someone feeling this way. We need to assess the true motives of those not wanting to move forward and address their concerns in a positive and win win situation. There are so many grant opportunities available to schools and lots of business partnerships and fundraising ideas to implement. The PTO is a great resource. Our school just raised $1,700 parking cars for the VT game last week. If you can be creative, you can find the money. Angie Cornett
ReplyDeleteI believe that living and teaching in the 21st century doesnt allow for educators to give up so easily and using the excuse of not having the funding. There isnt funding for anything in schools today so whats the difference. We must research and find ways to fund the things we need and technology resources should be number 1. If we are to prepare todays youth for society around them then technology is vital. There are plenty of resources inside and outside the school community to acquire the funding for technology. All it takes is some time and effort to locate the right source for funding......
ReplyDeleteIn the world of education today technology is not an option it is a must. Educators can no longer say I don't have the money for technology because they do and if they don't there are plenty of ways to get it. I know many public schools use the PTO and grants to get the money they need to by technology resources. Students cannot survive in today's job market without knowing how to use technology. Therefore, not allowing them to have access to technology and saying there is no money for it is not an option.
ReplyDeleteAmy Woodard
At the high school level especially, technology is no longer a frivolous option. Technology is now how teachers are “meeting students where they are” and preparing students for the “real world”. While there would be resistance from staff, there is technology equipment that could replace consumable materials and perhaps, if well cared for, would save money in the long run.
ReplyDeleteThe world has evolved to be dependent upon technology. Business owners and corporations are aware how essential it is for educators to have the funds to educate future employees. The business world will provide funds to local schools as an investment for their company if the school leaders will take the time to ask for the funds. Large corporations are required to donate an allotment of funds to local foundations as a means of public relations. Many grants are given out each year, and if educators research these they will find the funds they need.
ReplyDeleteIf an educator says " I don’t have any money for technology" then I would have to respond by saying "did you look for any resources or money?"
ReplyDeleteThere are tons of free education applications out there (the web) that can be used by anyone especially teachers. There is also an abundance of grant money for technology. Even if there is a lack of money, there are creative things you can do to be technology savvy. If educators choose to sit by and watch the technology bus pass us by, then we are in a deep amount of trouble. This is because we are not giving our students the opportunity to compete with the rest of our society or world.
Technology in the classroom is a must in this day and age. There is a ton of money out there if one is willing to take the time to take the time to write a grant, be creative in fund raising, etc. I worked for a principal who got permission from the superintendent to use a portion of our textbook money toward purchasing SmartBoards for a few classrooms. He realized the importance of technology and was willing to make sacrifices in order to get the technology. I know that those teachers who received the SmartBoards were extremely grateful that they worked for a principal who respects the need for technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology is a must in today's school. As a guidance counselor, I work with students and direct them on how to enroll themselves in their schedule in PowerSchool for the following school year. We have to meet the students "where they are" and live in their world. There are many ways to raise money or get money when you have a supportive principal. Fundraising and collaborating with local businesses are great ideas.
ReplyDeleteIn our private day school we have found a way around spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on technology and still generally get the same result. We buy used equipment, i.e., computers, smart boards, lap tops, printers, etc. This saves us a ton of money and we still are able to use technology in our classrooms. Can it be a pain? Absolutly! But somehow we have found a way to save money and still implement technology. So no one sgould ever say they do not have enough money for technology, there are always to get what you need.
ReplyDeleteGrants will need to be an integral part of technology in the upcoming years. Especially with budgets as tight as they are at the moment. Divisions will have to be creative or they will get left behind and children do not deserve that. Divisions and individual schools will need to go out and search for money for technology. Shane
ReplyDeleteThe notion that school systems do not have enough money for technology use in the classroom is ludicrous. I understand finances are not plentiful, but grant monies have been bookmarked for school divisions to utilize. If I faced administrators or public officials who were not open to allocating funds for technology use, I might inquire into how the money from the Virginia VPSA funding initiative is being handled? Maybe ask for an independent audit? j/k….
ReplyDeleteThis is tricky, because designating more money for technology could possibly mean less money for personnel, which will not only hit serious resistance from the workers but also sends a bad message: technology over people, 'stuff' valued over careers. The goal is to keep people and advance technology, which could mean: using less paper and more digital correspondence, using shared documents for brain-storming sessions instead of meetings, etc. When every thing is being cut, technology can be flexible.
ReplyDeleteI would focus on the utilization of the technology that is already available. My experience has been that most of the teachers in my school are either unaware of what we have available or they simply are too lazy to explore and learn something new. There is lots of resources to be utilized and I would say there are few teachers who take advantage of what is already there.
ReplyDeleteJake Leonard
Money is always available for technology, you just have to know where to look. Using existing technology, applying for grants to aid in technology, partnering with local companies focued on using technology, and saving in other areas are ways to get money for technology.
ReplyDeleteSam Reed
I absolutely agree that as educators, we cannot forego technology because of funding. Many parents are willing to purchase items for their student's classroom, and local businesses tend to help out in any way they can. It takes persistance on the part of the educators and administrators to find ways to purchase devices to enhance learning, and to find funding, or volunteers to train the educators on proper use of these devices.
ReplyDeleteIf educator's are saying that technology budgets are tight, they are obviously not looking for other ways to fund or are not aware of how much money each school district actually gets just for technology. There are an abundance of grants and money available out there it just takes a bit more research and work than just asking the person in charge of finances for technology money.
ReplyDeleteFirst there is some funding that is already allocated to technology by the state. It must be made clear to stakeholders that this has to be spent on technology or the funding is sacrificed. Allocating additional funds can be an issue just like funding for any other area.The issue then becomes making a priority and then getting the most of the resources allocated to it. Like others have said, there are ways to use technology to save money essentially making it pay for its self. Additionally, it is important to buy durable and flexible technology that can be used for years.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot afford to reduce the amount of funding in the area of technology. We are already lagging behind in our educational use of technology. Our students are more comfortable using technology on a daily basis than most of us are. We can present more interesting lessons, often using less paper and copier ink. We can communicate with students, parents and each other more effectively and in a timely manner using technology. Teachers need to be aware of the most current technology available to improve their instruction. Teachers need to make leaders aware their technology needs apply for grants and other funding options. Misty Zyvoloski
ReplyDeleteTechnology and funding are two words that must be in a public school vocabulary. With grant money that is guided by state /federal funding it is not a choice but a must that schools use VPSA funding for what it's purpose is. I might be inclined to ask where this money is going if I am told there is no funding for updating, adding, or increasing the amount of technology in our school system. Just keeping up with bandwidth and availibility for state mandated testing would be something to inquire about.
ReplyDeleteWhen money is tight is when we need to consider creative solutions to situations that in the past would have been paid for automatically with school/division funds. In our school division we began to look at how we could use existing technologies more efficiently to meet our needs. Our math curriculum development team really wanted curriculum guides printed for each teacher and the division leaders said , “Sorry, there is no money for this.” So we made the transition from paper to electronic and all our documents are now on the web easily accessed by all teachers from work or at home. Technology was the solution for us. Sometimes we don’t realize how we might use our existing technology in a new way.
ReplyDeleteSo many of the applications that are fresh and new are free! Anyone with a PC and an internet connection has access to a wide array of resources. Administrators, especially at the county level, need to make the aquisition of technology for use in the classroom a priority. Grant writing can be a tedious, painstaking process but the benefits are fantastic - the money is out there, it just takes some searching (and sometimes a bit of luck) to find it. Kelly Russell
ReplyDeleteTechnology plays a vital role in our everyday life. Technology is a fast way to get information out to a vast number of people all over the world. With that in mind, the internet could be used as a valuable tool in helping schools locate various grant funds that would be beneficial in securing technology improvements within the school. Other technology funding support systems that could be utilized or contacted for support would be nonprofit organizations, community donations, fundraisers, local companies, and computer system corporations such as Dell and Gateway.
ReplyDelete