How to Write a Winning #EdTech Grant - HoET083

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SMART Goals in 3 Steps

1. Find your focus areas: The first step is to come up with three “focus areas,” which are just three goals you want to accomplish this term. For example, these might be read more, exercise more, stop eating so much junk food, etc. Write down each goal and separate them.
2. Clarify the criteria for success: How will you know if you’ve reached your goal in the focus area? If your goal is to read more books, for example, your criteria might be: Finally, get through War and Peace and Finish reading all the books you got for Christmas. You’ll clarify the criteria for each goal, then write down the criteria under each focus area.
3. Lay Out Your Action Steps: In the next step, you’ll add the action-oriented tasks you’ll take to reach each goal. Going back to the book example, it might be to read one chapter a day. Add these tasks to each month’s focus area, then, create a due date for completing that step.

#EdTech Recommendation

• Apple TV Screen Savers for your MAC
• The Great War – YouTube Channel
• Momentum Chrome Extension

Featured Content

How to Write a Winning #EdTech Grant

Lynn Smargis, who first appeared on episode 75, is back and sharing her experience and expertise writing grants for education technology.

1. Writing a grant is easier than you think
   • Not a long and drawn-out process that takes weeks or months. They can take as little as 1 hour depending on the application process.
2. How to choose a grant
   • Choose a grant that is targeted toward your needs. Local grants such as district grants or city/county/state grants can be more easily accessible than larger grants. If you need things for your classroom, ask your parents first. Classroom items are best posted on a site like donorschoose.org where you can target your immediate audience.
3. Creating your grant topic and title (and topics to avoid)
   • Think outside the box and choose a topic for your grant that you haven’t heard about or that is innovative.  Definitely, avoid the overused topics such as smartboards, exercise balls.
4. How to get technology with a grant
   • Don’t just ask for iPads or stuff. Find an app or apps that you will have students use to increase their math skills, discover more about density or create PBL with the iPad.
5. Write what they want to hear
   • Make sure to tune your grant writing to give them some meaty information to chew on. If your grant is technology-based, highlight how you are using technology to inspire students, not that they will just be using iPads but how will they be utilizing the technology you are asking for.
6. Connect curriculum and cross-curriculum
   • Copy and paste your current standards from your curriculum and the cross-curriculum you are using into your grant. Include any writing and reading standards you will cover with your grant.

Things to consider BEFORE applying for an edtech grant:

• Internet Access
• Software Updates
• Compatibility

Connect with Lynn Smargis:

• https://twitter.com/lynnsmargis

House of #EdTech VIP

JOE DZIUBA – A high school math teacher and Rutgers graduate, Joe is a colleague of mine at New Brunswick High School.

Joe is passionate about education and works hard every day to make a difference for the student he works with.

Connect with Joe Dziuba:

• https://twitter.com/bowtiejoe23