TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION PROJECT GRANT PROPOSAL

Name of Applicant:​ Ericka Fluellen

District/School:​Atlanta Public Schools

Date​: ​July 14, 2020

Total Cost of Project:​ ​$349.00

Title of Project:​ ​Virtually Possible with Nearpod

To what organization will you submit this grant application in the future?: Donors Choose

I. Why is this project important (In 2-3 paragraphs, describe the need for the project and its
relevance to the shared vision for instructional technology)?
The project, Virtually Possible, will serve as an introductory unit to digital
learning with an ultimate goal of growing digital competencies necessary for virtual
learning success. As we develop a fully virtual learning plan for the 2020-2021 school
year it is important that teachers have access to inclusive tools for learning. It is equally
important for students and families to have tools that support their development as 21st
century learners by building their confidence to interact and engage in digitally learning
environments. Nearpod is an interactive mobile presentation tool that allows teachers to
create engaging lessons, guide student interaction, and monitor their progress in real time.
It fosters a community of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking
that motivates students to take ownership of their learning. Nearpod’s multimedia design
layout and its interactive features qualify it as a premiere candidate for immersive
learning. This digital learning tool supports the technology vision to empower, engage
and educate learners through innovative practice.
Our vision prioritizes the use of technology to improve learning outcomes through
use of digital data collection, inclusion of the Four Cs in our curriculum framework, and
provision of personalized learning opportunities for all stakeholders. Nearpod is a
“One-Stop Shop” for all of the above. For example, Nearpod allows teachers to assess
learners in multiple formats and provide live feedback to both teachers and students;
resulting in a more student-centered personalized learning experience that is not only
engaging but easily manageable.

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II. What would you like to accomplish (In 2-3 paragraphs, describe the project and list
instructional objectives/project outcomes.)?

Figure 1. 3rd Grade Georgia Standards of Excellence (ELAGSE)- Speaking and Listening

ISTE Student Standards

1. Empowered Learner- ​Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing,
achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the
learning sciences.
2. Creative Communicator​- Students communicate clearly and express themselves
creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital
media appropriate to their goals.

Learning Objectives
● Learners will use the ​Nearpod digital learning platform​ to collaborate with peers using
the “Draw It” tool to model their thinking and share with others. (ELAGSE3SL1,
ISTE-S1, ISTE S-6)
● Learners will ask and answer questions to clarify understanding of content presented and
link it to the remarks of others.(ELAGSE3SL1c, ISTE-S1)
● Learners will interact with personalized student paed lesson design specifically for their
differentiated needs. (ELAGSE3SL1, ISTE S-6)
● Learners will engage in teacher-led, LIVE lessons including formative checkpoints
giving them and continuous opportunities to interact, apply and reflect on content.
(ELAGSE3SL1, ISTE-S1, ISTE S-6)
● Learners will participate in virtual field trips and lab experiences to build their global
perspectives and content knowledge.(ELAGSE3SL1,ELAGSE3SL2, ELAGSE3SL3,
ISTES-6)

III. In what ways is this project an example of exemplary technology integration (In 2-3
paragraphs discuss your project regarding one or more of the following: LoTi, SAMR,
TPACK, TIM, etc.)?

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 This project is an innovative opportunity with potential to redefine learning through the use of
Nearpod, a digital tool propelling learning to the highest level of the SAMR model, Redefinition. Its’
host of innovative tools and features invites educators to reimagine the possibilities of student
engagement in virtual learning environments. Some people simply use Nearpod as a replacement for
your other favorite presentation tools, like Google Slides or Canva, but stopping there places major
limitations on its endless potential to enhance learning for all (Nearpod, 2020).
Students will be provided digital copies of all reading passages for the project as a PDF
embedded in Nearpod’s digital annotation platform instead of traditional hardcopies. They will be able
to interact with the passages and other content by engaging in polls, multiple-choice questions,
discussion boards and constructed responses within the lesson, instantly raising the technology
integration level beyond substitution to augmentation. The level of technology integration will increase
to modification with the use of media, virtual field trips and simulations completely redesigning the
entire task. As a culminating task students will collaborate to create a student showcase composed of a
class digital learning compilation. Students will also have opportunities to receive personalized
instruction through the delivery of differentiated student-paced lessons as remediation, enrichment, or
extensions accessible anytime, anywhere!

IV. How will you complete the work? (Describe how the project will be completed.)

A. Describe how the instructional objectives/project outcomes will be met (2-3 paragraphs).
● Students will build background knowledge by watching introductory ​Nearpod For Kids​.
● The teacher will guide students through and exploration of essential tools and
components within Nearpod that will be used for digital learning.
● The teacher will create interactive teacher-led and student paced lessons for use during
synchronous and asynchronous learning blocks.
● Students will be challenged to complete Digital Citizenship and Literacy Modules in self
-paced mode.
● Students will build collaboration and communication skills during teacher-led session
throughout the Virtually Possible unit, using the following tools:
●
○ Virtual Field Trips
○ Collaborate boards
○ Quizzes (LIVE feedback)
○ Polls
○ Matching Pairs
● Students will work collaboratively with peers to create a Nearpod deck of their own.
Demonstrate mastery of key digital literacy skills and concepts learned throughout the
unit. This compilation will be created into a virtual showcase of learning shared with an
authentic audience composed of other classes, families, and relevant stakeholders.

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 B. Time involved
-Unit Length: First Six Weeks of School
-Days Per Week Required: Four
-Hours Per Day: Two

C. Describe the people involved (grade level/subject & # of students, teachers and/or staff,
other stakeholders).
-Grade Level/Content: 3rd Grade Gifted Cohort/Digital Literacy
-Number of Students: Full Class of 20-30 students
-Number of Teachers: Two (Gifted Teacher and General Ed. Collaborating Teacher)
-Parents or older siblings are united to support self-paced lessons as needed.

D. Describe any professional development that you or others will complete prior to
implementing the grant.
Professional development will be provided by district technology specialists and
Nearpod PioNears​ prior to implementation.

E. Describe the materials needed for the project (provide links to relevant websites; include a
written description of how the technology/ies will benefit students)
-​Platinum Subscription Plan for Nearpod at $349.00
-1:1 compatible devices previously distributed for digital learning (chromebook, tablet,
or cellphone)

IV. What is the timeline for assessing accomplishments and objectives/project outcomes (In 2-3
paragraphs, describe the program evaluation procedure. Explain how each objective will be
measured and how success will be determined.)?
Student learning outcomes will complete formative assessment throughout the
unit. Students will use Draw It and Collaborative Boards to demonstrate understanding
and connections during peer discussions. Students will also demonstrate mastery of
content by successfully responding to multiple choice, open-ended questions, and
selected response items embedded as checkpoints in both teacher-led and student paced
sessions.
They will also complete a collaborative digital literacy project at the conclusion of
the project. Students will be evaluated using a rubric aligned with the Four Cs:
communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. This summative
assessment will provide evidence of the students’ digital literacy development and
growing confidence to interact effectively in digital learning.

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V. How will the students be impacted by the project (In 2-3 paragraphs, include details regarding
how the impact on students will be assessed and reported to students, parents, teachers, and
others.)?

● Students will work collaboratively with peers to create a Nearpod deck of their own.
Demonstrate mastery of key digital literacy skills and concepts learned throughout the
unit. This compilation will be created into a virtual showcase of learning shared with an
authentic audience composed of other classes, families, and relevant stakeholders.

VI. What is the proposed budget? Include information on the following:

A. Materials/supplies -Platinum Nearpod Subscription ($349.00)
B. Equipment- NoAadditional Cost
​C. Total Cost of Proposed Project (include a line item for any required professional
development) $349.00
D. Additional Funding Sources- None

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V. Supporting References.

Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE). (2015, April 15). Retrieved July 14, 2020, from

https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Frameworks/ELA-Grade-3-Standards.pdf

Nearpod (Director). (2020, March). ​How to Use Nearpod as a Student​ [Video file]. Retrieved July

14, 2020, from ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuQYtMlGtL4

GuinnKali, K. (2019, January 11). Improving your use of Nearpod through the SAMR Model.

Retrieved July 13, 2020, from ​https://nearpod.com/blog/samr/

Krahenbuhl and, K., & Mydland, G. (2018). Limit Distraction, Improve Performance with Nearpod.

Retrieved July 14, 2020, from

https://nearpod.com/independent-research-from-dakota-state-university-about-nearpod

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 INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROPOSAL
EVALUATION FORM/SCORING RUBRIC

Total Points (out of 300): __________

1. Impacts a variety of skill levels and/or learning styles or impacts an important target population.

Possible number of points: 60 __________

2. Clearly identifies standards and learning objectives/project outcomes being addressed.

Possible number of points: 60 __________

3. Pedagogically sound, based on research and/or best practices.

Possible number of points: 60 __________

4. Clear plan for assessment of project and goals with examples of implementation methods.

Possible number of points: 60 __________

5. Impacts large number of students and/or can be recycled/reused.

Possible number of points: 60 __________

General Comments:

Adapted from: The Education Foundation of Oconee County, Inc.

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