Activity: Understanding Costs The remainder of this activity will use a sample budget. Use the link below to open this sample budget in a new window. The document is formatted as a PDF file for ease in printing. Sample Budget Getting There Insert and begin Principal Connections. From the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen, select the seventh icon on the left labeled "Tech Plans." This will take you to the section titled "Planning for Tomorrow." Select the "Total Cost of Ownership" Calculator from the desk and view the short video. Using the sample budget, enter the total into the calculator. Post your responses to the following questions on the discussion list. These questions require you to compare budget allotments in the sample budget with the suggested allotments given by the budget calculator. How does the sample budget compare to the calculator in the five given categories? Where are the greatest shortcomings in the sample budget? How can these be corrected? What impact might these have on the actual implementation of the technology initiative? How will these shortcomings affect teaching and learning? Does the budget include items intended to sustain the initiative? If so, what are they? Your Budget Enter your own school or district budget in the budget calculator. Compare the calculator suggestions to actual spending. Are the percentages similar? If differences exist, do you think they may have impacted the effectiveness of your technology program? Which do you feel is more appropriate, the budget calculator suggestions or your actual budget? Why? When you have more time, enter your budget figures in the K12 TCO Calculator described earlier. This will provide you with projections in greater detail.