Classroom technology is one method LBUSD educators utilize to engage students, as well as enhance and individualize instruction. While district leaders are the first to tell you that technology doesn’t take the place of excellent teaching, it plays an important role in preparing students to navigate the 21st century global economy. And it's extremely effective! Just ask a teacher who has introduced Student Response Systems, SuccessMaker or computers on wheels to their classroom. These tools are expanding the methods and horizons of students and educators.
Investing in educational technology the right way is an ongoing process. Annually, SchoolPower designates $25,000 to the school district's classroom technology fund. In addition, SchoolPower has utilized its Fund-a-Need for various technology programs over the past few years. Through monthly meetings and reports, the LBUSD/SchoolPower leadership team strives to assure that funding priorities have been thoroughly vetted so that donor dollars can be maximized. Funding discussions focus on issues like whether the resources are consistent with the district’s long term goals and curriculum, whether the technology is efficiently supported by and consistent with the district’s existing technology, whether the technology can be sustained over time and whether teachers have access to the training and are ready to take on a new tool. The end result has helped to take the Laguna Beach Unified School District from being one of the weakest technologically in Orange County to the strongest.
SchoolPower Annual Gift: $25,000
Teacher Grants 2007-2010:
| DVD/VHS Technology EM 2010 |
$2,000.00 |
| Fourth Grade student laptops EM 2010 |
$8,000.00 |
| Science Technology EM 2009 |
$2,000.00 |
| High-Tech Science/Math Classroom TMS 2009 |
$2,000.00 |
| Vision for the Future EM 2008 |
$3,600.00 |
| 21st Century Classroom EM 2007 |
$20,000.00 |
| Library/Media Advancements EM 2007 |
$5,000.00 |
| RAZ Kids reading program licenses EM 2007 |
$2,000.00 |
| Laptops for students TOW 2010 |
$3,000.00 |
| Touch to Learn/IPOD Touch TOW 2010 |
$7,000.00 |
| Classroom Carts TOW 2008 |
$1,590.00 |
| Digital Visualizer TOW 2008 |
$3,000.00 |
| Headphones TOW 2008 |
$3,000.00 |
| Lap Top Computers for Instructors CLC 2007 |
$2,600.00 |
| LCD Projector CLC 2007 |
$2,000.00 |
| Document Camera Packages CLC 2007 |
$1,500.00 |
| 21st Century Classroom TOW 2007 |
$21,675.00 |
| Expanding MultiMedia TMS 2008 |
$4,200.00 |
| Wireless LCD Projector support TMS 2008 |
$1,402.00 |
| Yearbook Technology TMS 2007 |
$7,750.00 |
| My Access Software TMS 2007 |
$3,000.00 |
| 2 computers/Garage Band & Podcasting TMS 2007 |
$2,637.00 |
| Computer Graphics Digital Cameras LBHS 2008 |
$1,800.00 |
| I CAN SCAN LBHS 2008 |
$3,600.00 |
| MacBook Pro Laptop for Economics LBHS 2007 |
$2,956.00 |
| NovaNet Extension LBHS 2007 |
$7,600.00 |