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Grant Award Winner: The Huntsville Macintosh Users Group
Multimedia Mania:
Promoting Project-Based Learning
at Boaz Elementary School
Grant Winner, Huntsville Macintosh Users Group UG Project Chairman: Janice
Wright (far left) That's Steve Wozniak in the center! |
Teachers are becoming more comfortable with technology and are more willing than
ever before to use it in their classrooms. Many teachers today are using computers
for keeping grades, writing letters to parents, and publishing classroom newsletters.
Computers often are used as a reward for good behavior. But how many teachers are
using technology as a teaching tool, incorporating it into the curriculum? Some are...
some never will. The majority, however, would be willing if they had the proper tools
and someone to guide them.
__ This project will provide the hardware, software,
and training needed to enable the teachers at Boaz Elementary School to conduct multimedia
projects within their classrooms, grade, and/or school. Boaz Elementary School serves
611 students in grades K-2. The faculty consists of 47 teachers, 11 aides, and 2
administrators. The hardware, software, and training provided through this project
will be available to all faculty members of Boaz Elementary School for use with all
Boaz Elementary students. Therefore, more than 650 students and faculty members stand
to benefit from this project.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
- To promote the use of technology as a teaching tool through multimedia projects.
- To provide the hardware needed to conduct successful multimedia projects.
- To upgrade existing classroom computers to accommodate multimedia projects.
- To provide access to quality multimedia software.
- To provide training for teachers in the use of hardware and software acquired
through this project.
- To provide training in the use of multimedia projects in the classroom.
- To provide troubleshooting and/or assistance for the duration of this project
(Y2K).
The User Group Academy grant will help HMUG and Boaz Elementary accomplish these
objectives by providing funds to purchase hardware and software necessary for successful
integration of technology into the curriculum.
__ Matching monetary funding with volunteer hours will
ensure that sufficient technical support is present during the course of the project.
The recommendation that other organizations be involved has led to the inclusion
of the Boaz Elementary PTO. They will provide release time for teachers to attend
in-service training during the school day. The User Group Academy grant will provide
everything needed to promote project-based learning through multimedia projects at
Boaz Elementary School.
__ To achieve the objectives of the Multimedia Mania
project, four specific areas must be addressed. These areas are hardware, software,
training, and support. The following paragraphs describe our plan for working with
Boaz Elementary School in each of these areas during project implementation.
HARDWARE
Each classroom at Boaz Elementary School has either one, two, or three Power Macintosh
computers, ranging from 5400s to iMacs. The first order of business will be to upgrade
the memory in machines containing less than 32M, so that all computers will be capable
of running multimedia software.
__ Currently, Boaz Elementary has only one AV computer
being shared among 37 K-2 classroom teachers. As part of this project, an additional
AV computer (iMac DV) will be purchased, providing easier access to the AV capabilities
needed to complete and publish multimedia projects.
__ To complete the hardware needed for this project,
a digital video camera and tripod will be purchased. This will allow teachers to
make class or school movies to be included in multimedia projects. It will be stored
in a central location and will be checked out by teachers when needed.
SOFTWARE
Teachers must have access to a good, easy-to-use multimedia software program if they
are to be successful in integrating technology into their teaching. UGA grant funding
will be used to purchase a site license for KidPix. In addition, Apple’s Multimedia
Design Tools Kit will be purchased in connection with the purchase of the iMac DV
computer.
TRAINING
Having the best hardware and the top-of-the-line educational software means nothing
if teachers don’t know how to use them. One of the most important aspects of this
project is teacher training. HMUG will provide or assist with in-service training
for teachers in the following areas:
- Conducting Multimedia Projects with Little Kids
- Creating Digital Videos in the Classroom
- Using KidPix
Through the cooperation of the Boaz Elementary School PTO, teachers will have
release time to attend training sessions during the school day.
SUPPORT
HMUG will provide technical support and assistance to Boaz Elementary School for
the duration of the project. This will include both hardware and software issues
directly related to this project. Troubleshooting will be done primarily by email
and during HMUG meetings. On-site support will be scheduled as needed. In addition,
HMUG will provide assistance will RAM installation, teacher training, and installation
of software as previously mentioned.
__ At the end of the project, a second survey will be
conducted to determine how many teachers used multimedia projects during the year.
Teachers will be asked to give a brief summary of their projects. Students’ multimedia
projects will be showcased at Boaz Elementary School and at HMUG meetings at the
end of the 1999-2000 school year and in December 2000.
Huntsville Macintosh Users Group
UG Project Chairman: Janice
Wright
Boaz, Alabama 35957
What the Grants Board had to say:
This is a super proposal, and one that we're sure the students will really enjoy.
Nothing reinforces learning more than having fun while doing it, and in taking great
pride in the results of a project. This program will provide opportunities that all
of the students will look forward to and take pride in.
__ The hallmark of this proposal is the use of funds
to increase the usefullness of existing hardware! While upgrading older machines
is not as galmourous as shiney new machines, it is far more useful in terms of stretching
the real value of each grant dollar.
__ All thumbs up for Huntsville Mac User Group and their
project... we're looking forward to enjoying the student's multimedia projects too!
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