[cmharbuck]

Does anyone know of any grants or companies that donate ELMOs to schools?

[acorn]

Not aware of any place that donates but I did beg my principal for two years and finally got one this year.

It has changed my classroom tremendously!

[jch]

Don't limit yourself to the ELMO brand. I have an Avermedia and absolutely love it! It was also quite a bit cheaper than ELMO. My AverMedia was $500 with the "dickering" our tech coordinator did with CDW.

My document camera has a gooseneck that allows me to adjust the camera in any position I want. It has great resolution and the tech support and tutorials on line are awesome.

I haven't been on the site for a while, but Avermedia has offered drawings for free document cameras in the past. Perhaps their site can give you more information on applying for a grant. Or, post your need on the forum, and maybe someone else will know how to do it.

As a previous poster said - it, too, has revolutionized my classroom too! I don't think I could even loan it out for a day!

[Dawn]

I've been looking at both brands. I have even thought of purchasing my own to use in my classroom. Does anyone have the lowest level (cheapest model)? It seems like it would do what I need...I don't need all the bells & whistles.

[acorn]

I saw the document camera Avermedia has out and it is wonderful. It is compact and can fold up. My Elmo does not freeze a page but the one from Avermedia does. Beggars can't be choosers. I begged the principal and I now have one. Good luck with your mission to find an document camera!

A sad ELMO story -- a second grade colleague in my school had her whole technology cart sitting in the normal area. I student was racing to leave one afternoon and her foot caught on one of the multiple cords and she kept running -- she did not stop and the ELmo came crashing to the ground. It broke the system. The teacher was devasted as she knew she needed to tell old principal.

When I got mine this year I strapped it down learning from her. I have had it a month. The really neat thing about this tool is that all students can see. I have lost the I can't see whining since I have this tool.

[KLSSwimmer]

I was also wondering about purchasing the cheapest model for myself. I would love to hear other idea if this works. Haha, I'm seeing an advertisement for a document camera on the side right now! Big Brother is watching!

[rpzieg]

(WHINE, WHINE) I want one, too! Every chance I get I bring it up to my principal. However, another teacher will probably get it first (he perceives her as more technology focused). Boo Hoo.

[jch]

I was also worried that my document camera would get accidently knocked off my front table.

My computer projector is mounted on the (false) ceiling, so I got a 25' cable and threaded it through the ceiling. I brought my desk back from storage, placed it out of the way and that's where I have the document camera and my two laptops. I did the same with my DVD/VHS machine; it too is hooked up to my computer projector. All my technology is totally out of the way and safe!

If you don't have a false ceiling, get someone to advise you - I bet it can be done.

[Rosieo]

Go to donorschoose.org and maybe sign up to get one.

[SharBust]

Two of our teachers just purchased Elmo's off of ebay. Last week one of them purchased one for 130.00 plus 30.00 shipping. It came from a University surplus. She looked and waited for a couple of weeks and then got one!

Yes, beg and whine.

[jersey]

I got an ELMO through Donors Choose earlier this school year!

[JillArt]

I was on ebay just today and saw 3 elmos all quite affordable....(I have found all kinds of things on ebay for the science lab too)...

[JillArt]

I have had some luck with getting supplies donated from this site worth looking into...