Introduction

For our Module 7 assignment, I’ve once again had the opportunity to review two innovative grant proposals from my classmates. Both proposals demonstrate thoughtful evolution from their cycle A submissions, with clear alignment to their respective funding sources and well-articulated implementation plans. As I did in my previous reviews, I’ve approached these from both an educational technology perspective and with an eye toward what potential funders might be seeking. Each proposal shows distinct strengths – one leveraging VR technology to engage at-risk students and the other using Design Thinking with Sphero technology to empower educators. In my reviews, I’ve aimed to highlight the compelling elements of each approach while offering constructive suggestions.

Review of Sarah’s “Bridging the Gap: Using VR to Engage At-Risk Students” Grant Proposal

Sarah, I was impressed by how you’ve built upon your initial VR grant proposal with this next phase funding request. Your approach of securing equipment first and now seeking support for software, training, and implementation shows strategic thinking and a clear vision for implementation.

What I found compelling

Your introduction effectively establishes continuity by referencing the initial phase of funding while clearly articulating what this next phase will accomplish. The paragraph about how “VR can transform educational spaces into places where students not only learn but feel empowered to persist, explore, and grow” particularly resonated with me.

I appreciate how you’ve added specific, measurable outcomes to your proposal – the 5-10% test score improvement and 10-15% course completion rate targets provide concrete goals that will help evaluate success. These metrics strengthen your case substantially compared to more general outcome statements.

Your framing of VR as not just a technology upgrade but as a way to “humanize the classroom” in your conclusion creates a powerful emotional appeal. This perspective shows you understand that technology itself isn’t the goal – student engagement and success are.

The clear delineation between what was funded in the first proposal (equipment) and what this proposal covers (software, training, implementation) demonstrates thoughtful grant planning and helps funders understand how this request fits into your larger vision.

Suggestions to consider

While you’ve provided a solid implementation plan with five clear phases, adding a specific timeline showing when each phase would occur would strengthen your proposal. This would give funders confidence in your planning and help them visualize the progression of the project.

I noticed you mention measuring “skill development and knowledge retention” as outcomes, but I’m curious about the specific assessment tools or methods you’ll use to track these metrics. Adding a few sentences about your evaluation methodology would make this more concrete.

You mention that this initiative builds on a foundation established through “initial grant funding” and “pilot tests,” but including 1-2 specific insights or lessons learned from those early efforts would strengthen your case further. What worked well that you’re expanding? What challenges did you identify that this proposal addresses?

Your budget includes $2,500 for “Implementation and Evaluation Costs,” but this category could benefit from brief elaboration. What specific activities does this cover? Breaking this down would provide transparency that funders appreciate.

Final thoughts

Overall, I find your proposal compelling and well-structured. The grounding in Learning, Design, and Technology principles gives it theoretical substance, while your focus on at-risk students provides a clear rationale for why this technology matters beyond simply adopting the latest tools.

The updates you made to include specific metrics and link your introduction to the previous funding phase have significantly strengthened your proposal. Your conclusion effectively ties everything together by emphasizing that this is “not just seeking support for a technology upgrade” but “an investment in student potential.”

With minor additions of timeline specificity, evaluation methods, and insights from your pilot work, I believe this proposal would present an exceptionally strong case for funding. Continental Oil’s “Funding the Future” grant seems well-aligned with your vision for using technology to transform learning opportunities for at-risk students.

Review of Kristina’s “Innovative Educator Empowerment” Grant Proposal

Kristina, I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing your OtterCares Impact Fund proposal. Your focus on empowering educators through Design Thinking and Sphero technology creates a unique approach to fostering innovation while maintaining safe and responsible technology use.

What I found compelling

Your alignment with OtterCares’ entrepreneurship focus is excellent. The way you’ve connected the Design Thinking framework to their definition of entrepreneurship as “the ability to identify problems or needs and create solutions” creates a natural fit with their mission and priorities.

The scale of potential impact is impressive – reaching 80 teachers directly and potentially impacting over 4,800 students across elementary and secondary levels. These numbers make a strong case for the multiplier effect of teacher professional development.

Your implementation plan and timeline are well-structured, showing a thoughtful approach to scheduling professional development sessions across the academic year with appropriate follow-up and evaluation periods. The table format makes it exceptionally clear when each milestone will occur.

I particularly appreciated your sustainability plan that addresses how the project will continue beyond the grant period. The connection to existing frameworks like Digital Citizenship from Common Sense Media and ISTE demonstrates that you’re building on established educational priorities rather than creating an isolated initiative.

Suggestions to consider

While you explain the general structure of your workshops, I’d be curious to see 2-3 specific Design Thinking activities that teachers will learn and implement with students. Adding a brief example activity would help reviewers visualize exactly what teachers and students will be doing.

The budget section effectively outlines the need for 10 Sphero RVR Class Pack Kits at $3,340 each, but it might be strengthened by explaining why this specific quantity is needed. How does this number relate to the 80 teachers you plan to train? Will they be sharing kits or checking them out?

Your project objectives clearly outline three main goals with measurable outcomes, but I wonder if there might be an opportunity to strengthen the connection between Digital Citizenship (Goal 1) and entrepreneurship/innovation (Goal 3). Adding a sentence about how responsible technology use enables rather than restricts innovation could create an even stronger narrative.

The evaluation plan covers a range of methods including pre/post assessments and classroom observations, but I wonder if adding specific data collection timelines would further strengthen this section. When will the follow-up data be collected to measure long-term impact?

Final thoughts

Your proposal presents a compelling case for funding that aligns perfectly with OtterCares’ focus on entrepreneurship education. The emphasis on bounded innovation – teaching creativity within responsible parameters – addresses an important balance in educational technology.

The professional development approach focusing on both elementary and secondary teachers creates a comprehensive program that will benefit students across grade levels. Your detailed timeline and clear letter of support from the district’s CTO further strengthen your proposal.

With minor additions clarifying specific activities, the rationale for equipment quantities, and perhaps stronger connections between responsible use and innovation, I believe this proposal would be exceptionally competitive for the OtterCares Impact Fund. The combination of Design Thinking methodology with Sphero’s technology creates a unique and promising approach to fostering entrepreneurial mindsets in both teachers and students.