Finding the Bucks for Technology

By Donn Ritchie and Karen Boyle

Few schools can afford basic technology equipment for every classroom, let alone the latest and the greatest machines and software. Fortunately, as the authors of this article demonstrate, schools can make the most of their technology dollars by simple planning, by using a few key techniques for attracting money, and by scouting low-cost equipment.

Funding Sources

• Resource Guide to Federal Funding for Technology in Education
  www.ed.gov/Technology/tec-guid.html
• Investing in School Technology: Strategies to Meet the Funding Challenge
  www.ed.gov/pubs/techinvest/
• ISTE’s Teacher Resource Pages
  www.iste.org
  (click on Teacher Resources)

Used Computer Sources

• Computers 4 Kids
  www.c4k.org
• The Detwiler Foundation Computers for Schools Program
  wwwnt.thegroup.net/detwiler
• Computer Recycling Center, Inc.
  Computers for Education Program, Mountain View, CA
  415.428.3700
• Gifts-in-Kind America
  PO Box 18002, Merrifield, VA 22118
  703.836.2121
• East West Educational Development Foundation
  Attn: Alex Randall
  582 E St., Boston, MA 02210
  617.542.0555
  ewedf.ix@netcom.com
  or alex@donate.org
• California Computer Refurbishing Fund
  Attn: Robert L. Carroll
  c/o Sacramento County Office of Education
  9738 Lincoln Village Dr.
  Sacramento, CA 95827
  916.228.2500
• SPARC
  www.SPARCproductdirectory.com/us-sars.html

Discount Software Publishers

• Learning Services
  www.learnserv.com
• Educational Resources
  www.edresources.com
• CCV Software
  www.ccvsoftware.com

Keyboard Computer Resources

• AlphaSmart
  www.alphasmart.com
• Perfect Solutions
  www.perfectsolutions.com
• DreamWriter
  www.dreamwriter.com

Shareware Sources

• America Online’s software libraries
  www.aol.com/webcenters/computing/software.adp
  AOL members can choose the keyword "software" while signed on.
• CNet
  www.download.com
• Shareware Shop
  www.sharewareshop.com
• File Pile
  http://filepile.com/nc/start
• ZD Net
  www.hotfiles.com
• Shareware.com
  www.shareware.com

References

• Compute, Connect, and Compete:
  The Report of the California Educational Technology Task Force
  www.cde.ca.gov/
• NetDay Roll Call: Help Wire a School
  www.netday96.com
• Report to the President on the Use of Technology
  to Strengthen K–12 Education in the United States
  www.whitehouse.gov/WH/EOP/OSTP/NSTC/
  PCAST/k-12ed.html
• EdTec 596: Technologies for Decision Makers
  http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec596r/
  596Course.html
• H.R. 1804 Goals 2000: Educate America Act www.ed.gov/legislation/GOALS2000/TheAct/
• Getting America's Students Ready for the 21st Century:
  Meeting the Technology Literacy Challenge
  www.ed.gov/Technology/Plan/NatTechPlan

Donn Ritchie, dritchie@mail.sdsu.edu; Karen Boyle, kjboyle@ix.netcom.com

Copyright © 1998, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.