MissionV is a not-for-profit organisation which promotes the development of 21st century skills through innovative online technologies. It is enhancing the Irish classroom by providing the digital tools for teachers and students to design and create their own, curriculum-based, interactive content – for powerful new learning experiences. During the school year 2011-12 they ran a pilot project in 20 primary schools, supported by the National Centre for Technology and Education (NCTE). Drawn from 14 counties, large, small, urban and rural schools participated in the project including a number of schools designated disadvantaged. 38 schools (including my own) have applied to participate on the new programme, which will run from 5 November 2012 to 30 June 2013. However, because no Departmental funding is available this year they are now seeking funding through Irish crowdfunding website Fund It.
MissionV, which has just launched this crowdfunding campaign, is seeking to raise €29,000 in total and the campaign will run for 7 weeks. A Fundit campaign must reach or exceed its target amount before the time expires; otherwise the project does not receive funding and Funders (pledgers) do not get charged. If there are enough pledges to reach the total before the campaign expires, then pledges turn into donations.
The Fundit campaign has a number of pledge levels and corresponding rewards. It is hoped that funding options have been created that are attractive to a variety of supporters, both individuals and organizations, with different abilities to contribute. So there are lower levels (e.g., €10, €15, €25) for individuals and higher levels (e.g., €350, €600, €4,500) which are aimed at organisations. The money raised will go towards the production costs of the service for the programme, including setting up the necessary infrastructure to provide convenient online access to all schools and teacher training.
More information on the project can be found on the Mission V website. If you wish to donate, you can visit the Mission V Fund It page.
Disclaimer: I am hoping to participate in this Mission V project with my class during this school year which is why I am promoting this Fund It campaign.
