Kimberly King

April 5, 2009
FRIT 7132
Budget Simulation Assignment

Priority List

Kendrick High school media center has been given $3500 to purchase technology. The media
center’s aim is to support classroom instruction and this can be done by adding a few additional
pieces to the media center’s technology collection. After speaking with students, teachers, and
media specialists, the following items have been selected, in order or priority:
1. Data projectors
2. Mobile projection screens
3. Headphones
4. MP3 players

Explanation for Priority list

To form this list, an inquiry was done with the media specialists. They recommended several
items they would like to have. Then, they took an inventory of what was available to teachers
and students. Finally, 30 students and 10 teachers were surveyed. These two methods of research
led to the above items being chosen for this purchase.

Data Projector
Currently the media center has 19 data projectors available for teacher use. At first glimpse, this
would seem to be adequate. However, the demographics of the school must be considered. The
media center and its resources are used by two school environments – a traditional 9-12 grade
and an early college academy. Therefore resources are shared by a faculty population that is 90
when looking at both schools. This means there are not even enough projectors to be used by at
least half of the faculty at any given time in the school year.

When surveying students, it is found that this generation consists of mostly visual and kinesthetic
learners. This generalization is not based on solely the 30 students interviewed for this
assignment. This fact is supported by student data that has been collected this year from 150
students for classroom use. The 30 students surveyed all said that they enjoy the classes that have
Smartboards better than those without. Hence, if every class can’t have a Smartboard, a data
projector can be used as nice substitute to provide instruction to these visual and kinesthetic
learners.

Mobile projection screens

If teachers are using data projectors, they must have the appropriate apparatus to project on. This
item was recommended by the media specialists. Some teachers do not have white boards and/or
screens in their classrooms. Having additional portable screens will make for easy storage in the
media center, and it will be a needed resource for teachers who do not have the ability to project
in their classrooms.
Headphones
Strangely enough, out of the two computer labs, two mobile labs, and twenty plus computers in
the media center, there are no class sets of headphones for use. Many teachers are now using the
labs to complete webquest or similar assignments. Often times, they will include videos for
viewing or other audio presentations for students to listen to. However, students have to provide
their own headphones. As a result, many miss this part of instruction. It was agreed by all
teachers interviewed that headphones are a very much needed part of the media center.

MP3 Players
MP3 players maybe an unusual request for some, but they are a growing trend with teachers
incorporating podcast and videocasting into their classroom instruction. In fact, training in
creating podcast is offered as a technology PLU credit in this school district from the Department
of Instructional Technology. Upon conducting research, I question whether or not the media
center needed to have Ipods available. The media specialist felt that this would be an expensive
liability and explained that they would like to purchase cheaper MP3 players. Why these
devices?

Our media center does not have a listening station to offer students the option of listening to
audio books. For many special education students, which include approximately 20% of the
school population, providing oral accommodations is necessary part of their IEP. Having the
option to listen to books would greatly encourage students to read more. Of the surveyed
students, 100% agreed that they would be more inclined to check out books if they had the
option to check out audiobooks. Therefore, it is recommended that MP3 players are purchased to
be used for audiobooks and teacher podcasting. They can be used as a highly effective
instructional tool in classes where Reading Counts program participation is required.

Purchase Specification and Vendor Comparison

Data Projectors
Whenever funds are available, the media specialist tries to purchase data projectors. She
recommends using NEC due to their durability and lamp life. She also recommended vendors.
The vendors suggested, however, require in person consolations. You cannot view the products
online. The only information that is online is basic information about the company itself. For this
reason, I chose to seek vendors on my own. I chose them by reviewing the listing of vendors that
had booths at the 2008 Georgia Educational technology Conference. I feel that it is more
convenient to view and order products online as oppose to waiting for a vendor to fit you in his
schedule and travel from out of town to offer products to you. Hence, I chose the following three
vendors as possible vendors for the purchase of data projectors and other online vendors for the
other products recommended for purchase.

AEC offers a Projector Genius. This style product allows any surface to be used like an
interactive white board. It uses inferred technology to detect what the pen has written.
Considering that most teachers would like to use interactive whiteboards, I chose this item as a
nice alternative.
 From two other vendors, I found two different types of NEC projectors. As can be noted by the
chart below, both projectors are similar to one another in key features. In fact they are different
generations of the same projector. There is about a $200 price difference between the two. The
NEC model offered by Camcor does offer more input/output options which will allow for
versatility in the use of the product as all teachers will not have the same computer or laptop to
use with the projectors.
Item Type and Item Description Vendor Price State
Picture Contract
Data Projector Item # 1-C002 AEC Computer $599 No
PROJECTOR 1. Interactive demonstrating system http://aecpronet.
GENIUS using inferred technology to com/
detect writing.
2. Consists of: receiver, t signal
pens, 1 82mm electronic pointer,
2m USB cable, 20m USB cable,
1 suspending bracket, 1 desktop
tripod, 1 software CD, 1 user
manual.
3. Used on PC with at least 64 MB
of RAM.
4. Works with any screen.
5. Unit components can be
transported in a laptop bag.
6. No external power needed.
7. Allows the presenter to have
mobility.
8. Pen battery life 52 hours.
9. Connectivity – USB port
10. Screen size up to 150inch.
11. Ships in 3 days; free ground
shipping
12. Online ordering available
Data Projector Item # 880561 Academic $649.95 No
NEC NP200 XGA 1. Multiple input/output terminals. Superstore
2100 LUMENS 2. Lamp life – 3500 Hours http://www.aca
PROJECTOR 3. Connectivity – composite or s- demicsuperstore
video. .com/products/
4. Screen size up to 300inch. NEC/Projectors
5. Color reproduction: 13. 3 million /880561
6. Ships in 1-2 Weeks; Costs
$12.50-19.50.
7. Online Ordering available.
Data Projector Item # 666000050 Camcor Inc $449.99 No
NEC NP100 Projector 1. Multiple input/outputs http://www.cam
2000 Lumen SVGA
2. Connectivity – s-video, cor.com/cgi-
component, computer, video bin/cat/id=1219
 input. 081609/NEC_N
3. Lamp life – 3500 hours P100_Projector
4. Color reproduction: 16.7 _2000_Lumen_
5. Ships in 3-10 business days; SVGA.html
Costs $15.93 – ground shipping
6. Online ordering available

Mobile Projection Screens

Several teachers do not have an environment conducive to using a data projector. Some teachers
are housed in mobile units that do not have white boards. Plus, the media center only has one
portable screen that is used for media center instruction. With this in mind, the having additional
projection screens would be a sound investment.

There are many types of screens that can be bought. They vary in style and in quality. To address
this area, I chose two vendors, Camcor and Compu-Trac. Compu-Trac offers a very high theater
quality portable screen. This model can easily be folded and carried in a nifty carrying case. It is
a very enticing product, but it may be a little too much for what is needed in a school
environment. The Camcor screen allows for a diagonal image to be displayed up to 84 inches.
Additionally, the Camcor screen offers a more affordable price on the fixed budget that is being
used for these purposes.
Item Type and picture Item Description Vendor Price State
Contract
Portable Projection Item # 103029096 Camcor Inc $85. 99 No
Screen by Quartet 1. 60”X60” http://www.camcor.com
2. Diagonal image – 84.85” /cgi-
3. Matte white bin/cat/id=1225819085/
4. Mounts to tripod Quartet_Portable_Projec
5. Ships in 3-6 business days; tion_Screen_560S.html
Cost $24.95
6. Online ordering

Da-Lite Insta-Theater Model # 83315 Compu- Trac $349.99 No

1. Diagonal 60” http://www.compu-
2. 45 degree viewing angle trac.com/Da-Lite-
3. Matte white Deluxe-60-Insta-
4. Stands on its own Theater.html
5. Ships in 48 hours; Cost
Free shipping.
6. Online Ordering
 Headphones
Headphones are a highly needed item in our school environment. There is not one single set in
the whole building that can be borrowed for class use. To address this need, I consulted the
vendors listed below. Out of what was offered, the Hamilton LCP seems to be a good buy for
continual long term use. The Hamilton LCP comes in a set of 12 with a carrying case that makes
storage easy. The headphones have a 2 meter cord. They are over the ear, instead of ear, which
makes sanitation easy to take care of. They have leatherette padding for comfort. This product
was available through two vendors. Hence, the best choice would be to choose the vendor with
the best price.
Item Type Item Description Vendor Price State Contract
and Picture
CV-H32 Item # 728063 Academic $3.95 No
Coby 1. Lightweight Superstore
Electronics 2. 27mm driver units http://www.aca
3. 3.5mm L-Shape Stereo Plug demicsuperstor
4. Ships in 1-2 weeks e.com/products
/Coby+Electro
nics/Lightweig
ht+Headphone
s/728063

Item # 716755 Academic $9.95 No

1. Adjustable Headband Superstore
2. Single-sided cord http://www.aca
3. 3.5mm Plug demicsuperstor
4. Ships in 1-2 weeks e.com/products
/Coby+Electro
nics/Mid-
Size+Headpho
CV-320
nes/716755

Hamilton Item #701005060 Camcor Inc $110 No

LCP 1. 12 Personal headphones http://www.ca
with carrying case mcor.com/cgi-
2. 2 meter cord bin/cat/id=122
3. Leatherette ear pads 9974568/Hami
4. In-line volume control lton_LCP_12_
5. Ships in 3-10 business days; MS2LV_Lab_
Free shipping Pack_12_MS2
LV_Personal_
Headphones_w
ith_Carry_Cas
e_LCB1.html
Hamilton See above All Tech $83. 01 No
LCP 1. Same product as above Stores
 offered from different http://www.allt
vendor. ecstores.com/L
2. No product review istening-
available. Centers/Hamilt
3. Shipping – UPS ground - on-Electronics-
$20.50 Lab-Pack-12-
MS2LV-
Personal-
Headphones-
in-a-Carry-
Case-
LCP12MS2LV
.html

MP3 Players
There are a wide range of MP3 devices being offered today. Of course, for student use, there are
only a few needed specifications. When selecting this product, the biggest consideration was
storage size, ease of use, playback time, and best price for the buck. In searching, two ideal
products were offered by vendors for educational use.

The data enter in the chart below will allow the devices to be compared. The MP3 player offered
by Academic Superstore seems to be the best buy. The ScanDisk model is able to hold up to 2
GB of audio data. It has rechargeable batteries, and it has up to 32 hours of playback. These
factors definitely mean that this product will have fewer future expenses than the Califone 8100.
Lastly, the ScanDisk MP3 plyer is practically half the price of the Califone 8100 model.

Item Type and Item Description Vendor Price State

Picture Contract
ScanDisk Sansa Item # 861235 Academic $39.95 No
1. 2 GB – 32 hours of playback, Superstore
holds 500 songs http://www.acad
2. Has microphone emicsuperstore.c
3. Internal rechargeable battery om/products/San
4. Supports MP3, WMA, and Disk/Sansa+Clip
audible audio file formats /861235
5. Hi-speed USB 2.0 port
6. Ships in 1-2 weeks ; Free
shipping
Califone 8100 Item # 112017193 Camcor Inc $76.00
1. Can connect 2 headphones at http://www.camc
once. or.com/cgi-
2. 1 year warranty for school use bin/cat/id=12004
3. Flash 512MB – 18 hours 92378/Califone_
4. LCD display 8100_Personal_
5. Built in microphone MP3_Player_Re
 6. USB and DC charging cordMP3_Player
compatibility _Only_Headpho
7. Use Lithium Ion batteries ne_not_included.
8. Free Shipping Item html

Final Recommendation
After researching products and vendors the following recommendation is being requested for
consideration in spending the $3500 technology budget. The items were selected based upon
price, student teacher needs, and product specifications. These additions to the media center will
definitely be an asset to instruction at Kendrick High School and Early College Academy.

Item Vendor Quantity Price

Projector Genius AEC Computer 1@ 599 $599.00
NEC Data Projector CamCor Inc 3 @ 449.9 $1349.97
Portable Projection CamCor Inc 5 @ 85.99 $429.95
Screen
Hamiliton LCP All tech Stores 5 @ 83.01 $415.05
Headphones set of 12
MP3 Player – Academic Superstore 10 @ 39.95 $399.95
ScanDisk
Subtotal $3193.92
Tax $223.57
Total Shipping Cost $77.31
Total $3494.80