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Students in
Dawn Houser's English
400 class use the mobile computer lab purchased in 2008 with funds collected
in the Advantage . . . PBL
campaign. The mobile lab consists of a cabinet on
rollers that stores 28 laptop computers. Each computer, costing
approximately $600, is equipped with a DVD writer, three or four USB
ports, a projection outlet, and wireless internet access. Also
part of the mobile lab is a high-speed laser printer. Mrs.
Houser explained, "The traveling lab has been a great asset to the high
school. The students are able to stay in their regular classrooms
and use the laptops to do research, newsletters, etc. In addition,
with the growing use of technology, it is hard to schedule time in the
computer labs. This gives teachers another option."
A second portable lab has been purchased with Advantage . . . PBL
funds and will used by PBL Junior High School students beginning in
the 2009-10 school year.
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The Paxton-Buckley-Loda
Education Association launched a technology fund-raising initiative
called Advantage . . . PBL in May, 2007. The Foundation's
goal was to raise $120,000 to provide technological
components to all levels of PBL's schools.
Cliff McClure, PBL
Superintendent of Schools, stated, “This is awesome--the Education
Foundation perceives a need for equipment such as smart boards,
projectors, mobile computer labs, and software that will give our
students at Clara Peterson Elementary, Eastlawn Upper Elementary, PBL
Junior High, and PBL High School a competitive edge.”
Advantage . . . PBL
committee members are Todd Coady, Dave Dowling, Carl Hudson, Jr., Cliff McClure, and Theresa Rueck. To date,
approximately $90,000 has been
collected. Ten Promethean smartboards, 10 laptops with the
requisite software to work with the boards, and 10 projectors have been
purchased.
A core of six to eight
teachers already has some knowledge of how to use the equipment. They
will receive additional training from the Promethean company. That core
group will in turn provide training for all teachers in the district.
Ag teacher Mike White says, “We see the smartboard creating a more
interactive classroom environment. While it will not take the place of
hands-on learning, students will be able to engage in the lessons to a
level that before was not possible. We expect to see student
participation and interest improve.”
Two mobile computer labs have been
purchased--one for the high school and another for PBL Junior High. Each
lab consists of a cabinet on rollers that stores 28 laptop computers
and a high-speed laser printer. Each computer costs approximately $600 and comes
equipped with a DVD writer, three or four USB ports, a projection outlet, and
wireless Internet access. Funds have also been used to update the permanent
computer lab at Clara Peterson Elementary School.
Donors are still needed to
reach the Foundation’s goal of $120,000. Any size donation will be
helpful, but contributors who donate either $3,000 as a lump sum or
$1,000 each year over a three-year period will be considered charter
members of the campaign. The $3,000 figure is roughly the cost of
one setup—a smartboard, laptop, and projector. Special recognition
will be given to charter members. Each piece of equipment in the
setup they financed will bear their name.
The Education Foundation is
a charitable organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible. If
you have any questions about the fund-raising initiative, call one of
the Advantage . . . PBL project committee members:
Todd Coady at 217-386-2512
Carl Hudson at
217-379-4236
Theresa Rueck at 217-395-2425
Alan Hopkins at 217-395-2485
To
see a list of Advantage . . . PBL donors, visit
Advantage . .
. PBL Donor Page
Click here for a
Contribution Form to send along with your
donation.
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