Projects Your Group Can Do "Partnering Technology In Our Schools" HOW CAN WE AS USER GROUPS HELP our local teachers utilize technology to enhance their efforts, make teaching easier, or make learning more fun for the students? How can we put our know-how and expertise to work so our teachers will be more excited about integrating technology into their classrooms? What programs or skills can be taught to teachers to help them get more time for teaching, or make parents better informed, or provide a little extra time for students who need special attention? The best examples are the Maryland Apple Corps and Mac Valley UG stories. Other examples of possible proposal projects Teacher Mentorships -- using technology to teach... or to enhance personal productivity! Host "How-To" technology seminars or training workshops Set up a "Volunteers" database shell for the Guidance department, PTA, PTO or others, then train them in its use Plan and develop a collection of shareware/freeware software programs for teachers, then distribute on disk (or CD-Rom), and provide training... give a "learn how" party. Develop and host a school listserv "Homework Online" Develop, design, distribute school technology "How-to" or "Online" handbooks for parents -- get the parents more involved Develop and implement electronic Library card catalog (set up the computer, set up the software, provide training) How about a "Library Book Reviews" hypercard stack where the kids can key in their reviews of books in the library... maybe provide a computer dedicated to its use. Develop, design and distribute school training materials: "Evils on the Web" Create Computer document templates for teachers' use... homework guides, outlines, newsletters, notes that get sent home, etc., distribute on CD-ROM or Diskette... show them how-to get the most out of their paper efforts! Specific Topic Development: mentor with tech classes, hold awards, projects, etc. Civic Improvement Programs: UG helps school involve community, parents, etc. (Kids and the Internet classes, etc.) Help school participate in the TSA Program, then compete. (TSA is a national organization of middle and high schools "The Technology Students Association") Purchase Equipment (must include Matching Hours) and put into use... like setting up an AlphaSmart (Note: AlphaSmart is an approved Equipment Manufacturer, and can be considered as a vendor participant. http://www.alphasmart.com/ ) Networking -- sponsor networking set-up and training, or helping develop computer labs, etc. ... purchase and then instruct on the use of AlphaSmart classroom kit. Purchase books for each teacher, then hold some workshops to go along with the book in the computer lab. (Peachpit, IDG, and Macmillan are approved vendors.) Hold "Defragment" day, or "Optimize" event and help teachers 'clean house' on their computers ... perhaps monthly? Purchase a CD-Rom burner, and Backup/Defrag/Optimize for teachers. Purchase Memory, and conduct "Installing Memory" sessions Provide used or auction liquidation computers Hold a computer and technology "Ideas" awards program Hundreds and hundreds more... big and small. It just takes a little time. That's all. Got ideas? We've provided a collection of LINKS that offer Help writing proposals Contact: Fred Showker, Executive Grants Coordinator Dan Sailers, Executive Academy Chairman Grants Index _/_ User Group Academy Index The User Group Academy is a Partner Organization with The Association of Macintosh Computer User Groups .

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