Going Mobile: $76k Grant Provides Oak View With Technology Devices

As the New Year gets underway, students at Oak View Elementary, in Maple Grove, will begin to see more mobile technology in their classrooms. 

Some will even have the opportunity to take devices home on loan. It’s all thanks to a generous grant from State Library Services. This year, State Library Services awarded more than $455,000 in grant funding through the Library Services and Technology Act Grants (LSTA). Oak View was awarded one of the largest shares at $76,313.

When Library Media Specialist Dawn French began working at Oak View this year, she noticed there were several desktop computers at the school but not a lot of mobile technology.

“I thought there was a need in the school for increased access in the classrooms to digital literacy resources,” said French, who submitted the school’s grant request. “For some students, access at home is an issue too.”

Based on the extensive research that was required by the grant proposal, French said the school has decided to use the fund to purchase 60 iPad minis, 20 iPads and 30 Chromebooks. 

Students and teachers will use the devices in both the media center and in classrooms. Students will be allowed to check out iPad minis to take home on an as-needed basis. The funds will also help the school increase access to online digital literacy resources. This includes adding titles to the school’s eBook and audiobook library and purchasing educational software such as BrainPop, Flocabulary and Tales to Go.

“The goal of the additional technology and software is to provide for reinforcement, practice and increased engagement with the Common Core English Language Arts standards,” French said. “We are so grateful and excited for this opportunity to dramatically increase our students’ access to digital and technology resources, which in turn, supports their learning.”