Clear Lake Elementary is starting the new school year off like no other with the addition of $45,000 worth of brand new technology that cost the district absolutely nothing.
The K-5 school was among the five grand prize winners of the seventh annual ‘Win a Wireless Lab? sweepstakes, sponsored by CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G) and Discovery Education.
‘I was practically screaming with excitement,? said Clear Lake Principal Sue Hannant. ‘It is amazing that a company is willing to do that.?
The school’s prize consists of 20 notebook or tablet computers, three wireless access points, mobile laptop cart, interactive whiteboard, 20 student response devices, video projector, document camera, laser jet printer, video camcorder and a $5,000 Discovery Education digital media grant to be used for either staff development or software.
‘It’s been coming in bits and pieces throughout the summer,? said Hannant, noting all of the new equipment will be housed in the media center so the entire school can use it.
The addition of this ‘state-of-the-art 21st century classroom? to Clear Lake ‘gives kids a chance to really be involved and interact with their learning,? according to Hannant.
‘It’s not just sitting there,? she said. ‘They’re watching what they learn come to life.?
Hannant’s particularly excited about the interactive whiteboard, which is a large interactive display, usually mounted to a wall or floor stand, that connects to a computer and projector.
The projector displays the computer’s desktop on the board’s surface, where users control the computer using a pen, finger or other device.
‘I wish I could tell you everything the board does, but I don’t really know yet,? Hannant said. ‘Some of our new teachers that we hired this summer do (know its capabilities), so they’re going to be a help to us.?
The principal is hopeful the school district’s $32.7 million bond proposal ? which includes $8.7 million in new technology ? is approved by voters this November, so ‘we get these (interactive whiteboards) in all the classrooms.?
Jacqueline Wiscombe, a fifth-grade teacher at Clear Lake, deserves full credit for bringing the contest to Hannant’s attention.
‘It was an opportunity that we didn’t want to miss out on,? said Hannant, noting several staff members entered and re-entered the on-line contest countless times over a five-month period. ‘It was great. No paperwork.?
According to a statement released by CDW-G and Discovery Education, the companies received a record 702,000 sweepstakes entries in just five months.
Last year’s contest had 180,000 entries.