Rosemount Alternative Learning School Wins 'Classroom of the Future'

A Rosemount learning center has been awarded a technology grant that will put $10,000 worth of high-tech equipment in the school in January.

Dakota County Alternative Learning School (DCALS) is the winner of the 2010 Tierney Brothers Classroom of the Future Technology Grant, which awards the winning institution a "Classroom of the Future."

Tierney Brothers has been awarding the grant annually since 2006, and Marketing Manager Derek Burns said the Minneapolis-based company believes it is a "win-win" idea for both sides. "Obviously we're interested in exposing our products to educators, because we really believe this technology can make a difference with students. But this also gives the winning school access to technology that they would otherwise be unable to afford."

ALC Director Dan Hurley said that one of the school's top priorities was bringing more technology into the classrooms, but that has proven to be a challenge with the current budget constraints. "We looked at what it would cost to buy digital boards and other technology and it just wasn't going to happen with our current budget."

Hurley said plans are underway to install a fully-integrated "Classroom of the Future" technology suite at the school in January. The equipment includes a SMART Board interactive whiteboard with classroom-wide interconnectivity, Epson projector and a SAFARI Montage Video on Demand Server. Tierney employees will also train teachers on how to best utilize the equipment.

More than 150 Minnesota schools applied for the technology grant this year and the entries were judged by an independent group of educators and technology experts assembled by Tierney Brothers. Burns said the judges cited DCALS' need for the equipment as one reason for awarding them the grant.

"They have a great need for this technology. They have a great need and they have some funding issues. This is a school that would greatly benefit from the technology and that was one of the reasons why we created this program."