$10K Worth of Computers Coming to Bedminster School

In a matter of days, one Bedminster Township School teacher put together a proposal, helped notify the public—and got approved to receive $10,000 worth of computers for the school for about $1,500 in donations.

Technology teacher James Puglia read on Dec. 10 that DonorsChoose.org was making a limited number of Chromebooks available for teachers and classes for $100 per computer. And for the first week of the project, Puglia said, DonorsChoose.org would match the dollar amount for each individual that gave up to $100.

“So in essence, the computers come out to cost about $50 each day if they use the match code, which people did,” he said. “DonorsChoose.org’s response from teachers across the nation was so overwhelming that they ran out of the Chromebooks to be awarded in around a day or two.”

“We anticipated that they would run out quickly and were lucky to get it accepted,” he added. “In tough economic times, it is crucial to act expeditiously on these opportunities.”

Puglia said he was looking for an opportunity to obtain more Chromebook laptop computers for the school to increase technology opportunities for the students.

“We have many laptops in use now, but more Chromebooks will help meet additional classroom needs to work on technology integrated projects,” he said.

According to Puglia, DonorsChoose.org has a team that reviews project proposals, and the school put forward one that highlighted the school’s use of Google Apps in Education.

“Since Chromebooks operate and work well in that environment, it seemed like a logical fit to gear the project toward this use,” he said. “There is so much that everyone does that is web and cloud-based that the Chromebooks will work well in our setting.”

With these applications, Puglia said, students work on programs with documents, presentations, spreadsheets and sites to do projects either independently or collaboratively.

“In addition, they can work on other educational web-based programs,” he said.

Initially, Puglia said, he just asked family and friends to donate money to the cause, and, in four days, he raised about half the funds he was looking for.

Then, Puglia said, they brought the cause to the school community.

“Our technology coordinator, Bob McNulty, thought it would be a good idea to send to the school community so that we could take advantage of the one-week matching offer,” he said.

From there, Puglia said, subscribers to the e-alert system received a message, and, one day later, the project was entirely funded.

“It is incredible how supportive and generous the Bedminster School community is to our students and teachers in our district,” he said. “In addition, they understand how this project can help many students throughout the school, as we will place them on a laptop cart.”

“The concept of writing a proposal, getting it reviewed and funded so quickly speaks to the unique generosity of this community, as well as to the many advantages of technological communication tools to get a message out,” he added. “Family, friends and parents are still posting messages indicating that they want to give even though the project is complete.”

Puglia, a nine-year teacher in Bedminster, also works as the technology facilitator to integrate technology with content-area teachers.

“I work with teachers to plan, implement and use technology when appropriate, and these Chromebooks can be moved to different classes as I work with teachers and students in different settings,” he said.

Technology can be very beneficial in the classroom, Puglia said, depending on the lesson at hand.

“Technology applications are not a panacea for learning, but can, when integrated effectively, be used as another tool to help drive student learning,” he said. “Teachers in our school do an incredible job educating students and integrating technology.”

“It is a privilege to work in this district with Bedminster students, along with excellent teachers, administrators and supportive parents and community members,” he added.