Bummed

[tingens4]

Hi all+wave+

I am going to vent and see if I can get any suggestions. I have the only Activboard in my school and in my county! I love it. I really want all the products to go along with it.

There is another company that our system buys from that uses "clickers" that only needs a projector to project from and doesn't have the ability to incorporate anything else...where as Activ has the flichart. Also, this company has it's own type of slate. NOTHING against anyone else but I want it all Activ.

I think that getting all this different stuff from everybody doesn't work! I want all my stuff to come from one place. I have to connect/disconnect/move, etc to do all the stuff we have and it is tiresome!

Any suggestions on how to approach this with my higher ups to see the wisdom in the Promethean approach!

Also, does anyone know of grants that are available that I could pursue to purchase these items?

Thansk.

Ann T

[BenPosner]

Ann,

SOOOOOO sorry to hear that you are bummed about this, again! Its no fun to be upset with all the stuff that you are doing...

That being said, I have seen your flipcharts, and they are really good. You know what you are doing, and know what you want your kids to do, and that is the important first step. Now, has your principal come in and seen you do all the connect/disconnect/move etc, stuff? If not, that would be step one in my book. Show him/her how tedious it is for you. Then, be ready to show them something that uses the votes and how simple a solution they are. Finally, be ready to be the "test dummy" on this one (I was going to use a rodent reference, but its the end of the day, and my spelling is terrible). Not everyone in the school needs these amazing ActiVotes (yet), but you do need a set right now for your particular situation! Get a quote from your reseller, and see if you can work it out.

If that doesn't work out, let us know, but I think it is a worthwhile first step to trying to get these. You love your board, and the more people come in and see you teaching with it, the more vested they will become, and soon more people will be asking for them... Your principal will look to you for guidance in this process, so you need to ready! Knowing you as I do, I know you are!

Chin up, and keep in touch!

~Ben

[karenadams]

Ann - Perform a search on the Forum and type the word grants into the search box. You might be able to get some more information on grants from other forumn posts!

I hope it all works out for you!

[tingens4]

Thanks Karen:)

[scaulfield]

If you can, I would try to get to the next Activ08 User Conference. You will meet TONS of Activusers from around the country and you will come back with a bunch of great materials and information to pass onto your "higher ups!"

[JanKWV]

I feel your pain. I am the only one in the entire state with one so far. I keep getting, "Why did you spend so much money" and " Promethean isn't even on the state contract." I'm trying to get them to understand the resources available and the support on the Planet. I can tell you, the two smart boards in my school are rarely used, unless to show something online. However, my Kindergarten kids use the Activboard all day long, across the currciulum, in whole group, small group, and as an independently learning center.

[BenPosner]

JanKWV,

Thanks for the great story! I am so happy to hear that you and your kids are really getting into the board! I am "right next door" in Maryland, so if you need any help with anything, let me know!

~Ben

[vlewis]

I think having your reseller or the company come in to do a demo or your TLC come to do a demo may also help. We invited our administration and board of education to our demo and it totally made a difference for them to see it in action.

We also had similar questions asked but we showed them how integrated all the components were with activstudio and it was easier for us to get the whole package.

[davidlloyd]

IHowever, my Kindergarten kids use the Activboard all day long, across the currciulum, in whole group, small group, and as an independently learning center.

Get the powers that be to come in and see a lesson like the above in action. That would sway the argument.
Another point: even none Activboard users could use Activote and they would have all your expertise to help them.

[kthwhite]

Hi Jan...There are at least 2 of us using Promethean now in WV! :-) Thanks for your inspiration and encouragement to push for what I knew we needed in our classroom. We have used our Promethean board for 2 weeks now and we all love it! Kathy

[cwallace]

If you are in public school, try donorschoose.org It is a small start toward your bigger goal. Also check out local resources like AFCEA or an Engineering Society. Finally, search resources on techlearning.com Often, there is money available to integrate technology into the classroom.

Cindy

[scaulfield]

Cindy -
Thanks for sharing that grant $$$ info for us. I know that people are always looking for places where they can find grants, etc.

Thanks! :)

[BenPosner]

I know a teacher or two who found money for boards or votes and other periphery on DonorsChoose! GREAT website!

~Ben