HOW IT WORKS
STEP 1: SCOPE OUT TECH & AVAILABILITY
Learn about each kit and see what’s available during
different dates at AoPTech.org. If you’re not sure which kit is
right for your curricular needs, the AoP Tech Team can help
you find exactly what you need for your students’ skill levels
and lesson objectives.
STEP 2: REQUEST THE TECH & SCHEDULE
PICK UP
Fill out an online form requesting a reservation, and
someone from the team will schedule a date for pick up. All
technology is housed at the Brother’s House on Archbishop
Carroll campus for pick up and return.
STEP 4: PLAY! LEARN! GROW!
For one or two weeks, the tech is all yours. Incorporate
it into any and all lessons as you see fit. If you have any
questions along the way, the Tech Team is always on-hand
to answer questions and troubleshoot.
STEP 5: RETURN THE TECH
Eventually the fun has to end, but after returning the
device and filling out a short evaluation form you can start
planning what tech your students can try out next.
STEP 3: PICK UP & GET LESSON TIPS
Get a free hour-long tutorial on how to best utilize the
devices for your lesson plans. A Tech Integration Coach will
show you the ropes and pass on tips and tricks from other
teachers to inform your experience.
TESTING THE TECH WATERS…
AND MAKING A SPLASH
In addition to taking advantage of STEM resources short-
term, teachers can use the lending library to test technology
that they may be interested in purchasing, but are hesitant
to commit to because of steep pricing or because they are
unsure how effective it is in lesson plans.
“You tested something and you love it. So now you can
invest in it and explore deeper than you originally had
planned,” says Devito. “That better serves both your
curriculum and your budget.”
The win-win nature of the STEM Lending Library is already
apparent: teachers have booked over 30 reservations.
And in accordance with the grant from the Archdiocesan
Educational Fund*, the Archdiocese is planning to expand to
a second library location at Lansdale Catholic High School
this summer.
“We are monitoring which items are being checked out
and analyzing teacher feedback carefully,” says William
Brannick, Director of Technology at OCE. “When we add
additional libraries, we want to offer exactly what kind of
equipment schools are looking for, while still providing tech
support and trainings.”
Eventually, AOPS hopes to grow the lending program even
further. How large? Until there’s one library per county —
enough to meet every school’s technological resource and
professional development needs.
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*The Archdiocesan Educational Fund awarded the AOPS Technology Department
a grant in the amount of $32,000 for the 2018-19 academic/fiscal year.
To learn more about the Arch-Ed Fund visit: archedfund.org.