Fundraising & More Affordable Alternatives
While the iPad is an amazing learning tool, they come with a high price tag and many schools are not able to afford such a large investment. Here are some ideas to start fundraising, applying for grants, and financing. Also included are choices for alternative tablets in other price ranges that offer many of the same benefits, but without the same monetary investment.
1.Fundraising
Identify your goals – Decide which tablets you will purchase and how many you want to buy. calculate the total cost of the iPads and any Apps you will want to purchase.
Choose a leader and team – You will need someone to facilitate the campaign with a positive attitude and time and energy to put into the project and team members to work alongside that person.
Create timelines for your campaign – Remember that shorter campaign times will help sustain momentum.
Set your fundraising tactics – Think about the community you live in and what types of fundraising have worked in your school before. Focus on doing a few fundraisers well!
Clearly communicate throughout your fundraising campaign – Share your fundraising goals and progress with students, teachers, parents and the local community to maintain enthusiasm for your project. Celebrate when your goal has been reached.
Choose a leader and team – You will need someone to facilitate the campaign with a positive attitude and time and energy to put into the project and team members to work alongside that person.
Create timelines for your campaign – Remember that shorter campaign times will help sustain momentum.
Set your fundraising tactics – Think about the community you live in and what types of fundraising have worked in your school before. Focus on doing a few fundraisers well!
Clearly communicate throughout your fundraising campaign – Share your fundraising goals and progress with students, teachers, parents and the local community to maintain enthusiasm for your project. Celebrate when your goal has been reached.
2. Grants
Each year, Future Shop offers grants of up to $20,000 to elementary and secondary schools across Canada. Schools are chosen after an application and proposal that is reviewed to learn more about how greater access to technology will help students meet their learning goals.
Some key areas of consideration that are reviewed are:
1. Will the technology purchased with the grant inspire, motivate and empower students in their studies?
2. Will the technology provide for innovation in classrooms?
3. Will the new technology help equalize technological exposure across socioeconomic classes?
4. Will the new technology assist students with learning challenges and disabilities to learn at the same pace or with the same independence as their peers?
5. How many students will be impacted?
6. The overall quality of the application and benefit of the funds for students.
To learn more about this innovative program and how to apply, visit http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/futuregeneration/successes.aspx
Some key areas of consideration that are reviewed are:
1. Will the technology purchased with the grant inspire, motivate and empower students in their studies?
2. Will the technology provide for innovation in classrooms?
3. Will the new technology help equalize technological exposure across socioeconomic classes?
4. Will the new technology assist students with learning challenges and disabilities to learn at the same pace or with the same independence as their peers?
5. How many students will be impacted?
6. The overall quality of the application and benefit of the funds for students.
To learn more about this innovative program and how to apply, visit http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/futuregeneration/successes.aspx
3. Financing
In addition to fundraising and grant applications, another option worth exploring is contacting Apple Financial Services to receive free financial advising that might help your school to find alternative options that fit your school’s budget such as different choices for payment schedules (annual, semiannual, quarterly, or monthly), leasing, and trade in options. For more information, visit http://images.apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple-EducationFinance.pdf
4. Tablet Alternatives
Verizon Ellipsis 7- $50 for a two year contract & $250 without a contract
Barnes and Noble Nook HD - $129
Google Nexus 7- 16GB $229 & 32GB is $269
The
Nexus 7 is one of the best options if you are looking for a full functioning tablet that is cheaper than the iPad.
References:
Business Insider. Retrieved March 20, 2015 from: http://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-ipad-alternatives-2014-4?op=1
Smart Technology. Retrieved March 20 2015 from: http://smarttech.com/us/Resources/SMART+education+programs/Grants+and+fundraising/Fundraising
Images:
[Technology]. Concreteplayground. (2015). Retrieved from http://concreteplayground.com//v3/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/technology.jpg
[Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet]. Retrieved March 20 from: http://www.rjfrasca.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/verizon-wireless-ellipsis-7.jpg
[Barnes and Noble Nook HD]. Retrieved March 20 from: http://tabletmonkeys.com/barnes-noble-nook-hd-plus/
[Google Nexus 7 tablet]. Retrieved March 20 from: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_google_nexus_7-pictures-4850.php
Business Insider. Retrieved March 20, 2015 from: http://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-ipad-alternatives-2014-4?op=1
Smart Technology. Retrieved March 20 2015 from: http://smarttech.com/us/Resources/SMART+education+programs/Grants+and+fundraising/Fundraising
Images:
[Technology]. Concreteplayground. (2015). Retrieved from http://concreteplayground.com//v3/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/technology.jpg
[Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet]. Retrieved March 20 from: http://www.rjfrasca.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/verizon-wireless-ellipsis-7.jpg
[Barnes and Noble Nook HD]. Retrieved March 20 from: http://tabletmonkeys.com/barnes-noble-nook-hd-plus/
[Google Nexus 7 tablet]. Retrieved March 20 from: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_google_nexus_7-pictures-4850.php