Qwest/NETA Classroom

Technology Integration Grants

Application Information

Application Deadline:

January 25, 2010

Administered by Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA)

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application

Introduction

The Qwest Foundation has awarded $50,000 through a Qwest Foundation for Education Grant to the Nebraska Educational Technology Association. With these funds NETA/Qwest will provide classroom grants to PreK-12 teachers who demonstrate an innovative use of technology with students. The funds will be disbursed to Nebraska public or private school districts. The funds may be used to purchase the following for use in the classroom: supplies and materials, technology, or professional development activities. Any non-disposable supplies and materials or capital objects purchased are the property of the district or school that is awarded the grant. Funds will be awarded in the spring of 2010. Winning teachers will be recognized at the NETA 2010 Spring Conference on April 29, 2010. The funds must be spent by September 30, 2010. The application must be postmarked by January 25, 2010.

The purpose of this grant is to:

  1. Recognize Nebraska PreK-12 teachers who are using technology in innovative ways with students;
  2. Increase an awareness of how technology can enhance classroom learning;
  3. Provide an avenue for classroom teachers to fund innovative technology projects;
  4. Model best practices of technology integration that improve student achievement.

Timelines

  1. Grant proposals must be postmarked by January 25, 2010. Proposals postmarked after that date will not be considered.
  2. Qwest/NETA Grants will be awarded for up to $5,000 each.
  3. Grant recipients will be recognized at the NETA Spring Conference on April 29, 2010.
  4. Poster session presentations of awarded projects will be made at the NETA 2011 Conference.
  5. Mid term report will be due August 1, 2010 for publication in NETA September 2010 newsletter and the final report will be due March 1, 2011 for publication in the April 2011 newsletter.

Eligibility

All Nebraska PreK-12school teachers within the Qwest service area are eligible to receive a maximum of one Qwest/NETA award. Check our web site for a list of eligible communities. (This includes public and private school certified preK-12 teachers.)

Applicants who are not selected may reapply for the next year.

Technical Assistance

NETA Board Contest Chair and/or Executive Director are available to provide technical assistance and to answer questions. For assistance in applying for a Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration Grant, contact NETA by emailing .

Award Process

The Qwest Foundation for Education Grant requires that Grants be awarded through a competitive proposal process. All proposals will be read and judged by a statewide committee comprised of PreK-12 educators and business leaders. This panel will determine those applications that best meet the funding criteria using the rubric and scoring sheet posted on our web site NETA will notify awardees by April 1, 2010 so they can then register for the NETA Spring Conference 2010. Grant recipients will be recognized at the opening keynote on Thursday, April 29, 2010.

Required Presentation and NETA Conference Attendance

Educators who are awarded a Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration Competitive Grants agree to attend and participate in the two-day NETA 2010 Conference. Awarded teachers will also be required to present on the outcomes of their awarded project at the 2011 NETA Spring Conference.

Required Reports

NETA will require from each awardee, a report on the expenditure of funds as well as a narrative detailing how the goals of your project were met through this award. Funds are to be spent by September 30, 2010. The mid-term report will be due September 1, 2010 and the final report will be due March 1, 2011. Guidelines and specific timeline will be provided to each participant awarded funds through the Qwest /NETA Classroom Technology Integration Competitive Grant Program.

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application Procedure

Instructions: Any Nebraska teacher who is certificated PreK-12 may apply for one grant and must complete all of the following steps. Please review the following resources for guidance:

ISTE National Educational Technology Standards for Students

ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Teachers

Nebraska core content standards if applicable

Proposal Scoring Rubric

Step 1:Complete the Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration Competitive Grant Application Assurance Sheet included in this application packet.

Step 2:Prepare an abstract that summarizes the goals, major items in budget, and how project will impact student learning. This abstract will be used in media publications should your grant be funded. For the abstract, please limit to no more than 250 words. (Use Abstract page included in this application packet.)

Step 3:Prepare a one-page narrative description of your project, including your project goals. Indicate clearly the learning and skill development that will occur for both the students and the teacher as a result of their participation in the project. For the Goals Page, use single or double-spaced lines, 12 pt. font, with one page maximum. (Use Project Goals page included in this application packet.)

Step 4:Prepare a one-page narrative description of how you will use technology with students in innovative ways, as aligned to at least one of the following national/state standards: ISTE NETS for Teachers, ISTE NETS for Students, or any applicable Nebraska content standards. See bulleted list above for link to standards. For the Innovation/Standards page, use single or double-spaced lines, 12 pt. font, with one page maximum. (Use the Innovation/Standards Page in this application packet.)

Step 5:Prepare a one-page narrative description of how your student-centered use of technology will impact student performance. For the Student Performance page, use single or double-spaced lines, 12 pt. font, with one page maximum. (Use the Student Performance Page in this packet.)

Step 6:Prepare a one-page Plan of Action that provides a timeline of activities and includes a professional development plan for teacher(s) involved. Professional development plan and budget will include attendance at NETA Conference for 2010 and 2011. . For the Plan of Action Page, use single or double-spaced lines, 12 pt. font, with one page maximum. (Use the Plan of Action Page in this application packet.)

Step 7:Prepare a one-page budget narrative of what you are proposing to purchase and how this purchase will enhance your work with students. (Use Budget Narrative page included in this application packet.)

Step 8:Prepare a proposed budget. Include cost of attending NETA (subs and registration) for 2010 and 2011. (Use Proposed Budget page included in this application package.)

Step 9:Assemble the proposal application and include 5 copies of each of the following, IN ADDITION to the SIGNED ORIGINAL in the order listed below, stapled upper left:

Page 1: Assurance Sheet

Page 2: Abstract

Page 3: Narrative Page - Project Goals

Page 4: Narrative Page – Innovation and Match to Standards

Page 5: Narrative Page – Impact on Student Performance

Page 6: Narrative Page – Plan of Action

Page 7: Narrative Page – Budget Narrative

Page 8: Proposed Budget

NO supplemental materials will be accepted.

NO faxed applications will be accepted.

Step 9:Submit the original and 5 copies of your proposal via regular mail (postmarked on or before January 25, 2010 to:

Sandy Blankenship, Executive Director

NETA/Qwest Grants

P. O. Box 27

Waverly, NE 68462

Questions regarding the application process can be sent to Dr. Lynne Herr, NETA Contest Chair

Questions involving mailing procedures can be sent to Sandy Blankenship, NETA Executive Director

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application Assurance Sheet

Project Title: Amount of Request: $

District Name: County:

Name of Certificated Teacher:

Name of School where currently teaching:

Address of School:

Years taught in Nebraska K-12 public/private education:

Content area(s) that you are teaching in Nebraska K-12 education: (enter line below)

I certify that if I receive a Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration Competitive Grant –

  • I will attend the NETA 2010 Conference to be recognized and receive the grant award.
  • I will agree to provide a poster session during the NETA 2011 Spring Conference.
  • I will agree to submit reports for the NETA newsletters and a summary of the expenditure of funds.

Superintendent Name / E-mail / Telephone
Signature
Principal Name / E-mail / Telephone
Signature
Teacher / E-mail / Telephone
Signature

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application – Abstract Page

(limited to no more than 250 words, single or double spacing, 12 pt. font)

Abstract

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application – Narrative Page

(limited to one page, single or double spacing, 12 pt. font)

Project Goals

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application – Innovations/Standards Narrative Page

(limited to one page, single or double spacing, 12 pt. font)

How You Will Use Technology with Students in Innovative Waysas Aligned to ISTE NETS or Nebraska Content Standards?

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application – Student Performance Narrative Page

(limited to one page, single or double spacing, 12 pt. font)

Explain How Your Student-Centered Use of Technology

Will Impact Student Achievement

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application – Narrative Page

(limited to one page, single or double spacing, 12 pt. font)

Explain your Plan of Action (activities and when they will be accomplished, who is responsible), including professional development.

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application – Narrative Page

Budget Narrative (limited to 1 page)

Qwest/NETA Classroom Technology Integration

Competitive Grant Application

Proposed Budget

Expenditure Description* / Amount Requested / In-Kind (not required) / Total
Registration for NETA 2010 @ $115 each
Substitute(s) for teacher(s) at ______per day x 2 days—NETA 2010
Registration for NETA 2011 @ $115 each
Substitute(s) for teacher(s) at ______per day x 2 days—NETA 2011

Total Amount Requested:(maximum $5,000)$

Total Amount In-Kind (not required)$

Total Project Cost$

*Expenditure Description: Include name of item to purchased, number of items and price per item e.g. Substitutes, 2 days @ $100 ea.

**Add rows and edit categories in left column as needed.