JUDGING PANEL ANNOUNCED FOR EINSTRUCTION CLASSROOM MAKEOVER COMPETITION

DENTON, TX (November 3, 2009) – eInstruction, a premier globalprovider of learning technology, today announced the judging panel of its third annual Classroom Makeover Video Contest. The panel is comprised of advocates for educational technology, television personalities, media representatives and members of the nationally recognized band, Flobots. The judging panel will choose three classrooms to win interactive classroom makeovers. The winners will each be awarded more than $30,000 in educational technology from eInstruction, Dell, 3M, Texas Instruments and other educational technology companies. The contest closes at noon Eastern time on November 10.

 

On November 17, five finalists will be chosen from three grade categories (Kindergarten through fifth grade; sixth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12^th grade). The judges will view 15 finalists’ videos, and choose one winner for each grade category. The judging of the finalists’ videos will take place between November 17 and December 4. One grand prize winner will be announced for each grade category on or around December 18. 

 

Members of the judging panel include:

 

·        Flobots– Alternative rock and hip-hop group, Flobots, achieved mainstream success with its 2007 debut album Fight With Tools. One of last year’s winning classrooms from Corona Ranch Elementary School in Corona, California, produced a parody of Flobots’ popular single “Handlebars” for their music video entry. In 2008, Flobots started Flobots.org, a non-profit organization that works to create positive social change by harnessing the power of music and those who love it. Since 2008, Flobots.org has provided hands-on music therapy instruction to youth and created its own community space, where youth, musicians and artists can learn and share in a safe environment.

·        Dr. Don Knezek- CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), an organization dedicated to improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education. He has advised and consulted in many regions of the world, assisting in the development of national educational technology expectations for students, teachers and school leaders. Knezek also serves on ISTE’s leadership team for the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) in the U.S.

·        Christine Weiser— Weiser is the Managing Editor of Tech & Learning, a magazine that provides resources and strategies that enhance the K-12 learning experience by integrating digital technology. She is the co-author of “Ask Mr. Technology: Get Answers” and the editor of other education book titles, including “Copyright for Administrators.”

·        Jenna Johnson—As the Washington Post’s Student Life and Culture Reporter, Johnson reports on issues relevant to education in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

 

·        Jackie Nespral – At NBC News in Miami, Nespral anchors “South Florida Nightly News” and “South Florida Tonight.” In 1991, she became the first Hispanic ever to anchor a network news program and has received two Emmy awards. Nespral is a member on several boards including the South Miami Hospital’s Child Development Center, and Amigos for Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect.

·        Pat Harvey – A 16-time Emmy award winner, Harvey anchors CBS’s Prime 9 News in Los Angeles. She has received numerous accolades including the Associated Press’ “Best News Anchor” award. Committed to community service, Harvey is co-chair of the Good News Foundation, an organization that gives out annual scholarships to deserving, future broadcast journalists and raises charitable funds.

 

The competition is open to primary and secondary students and teachers in the United States and Canada. Entrants are invited to submit short, creative music videos demonstrating how they would use advanced technology to enhance their learning experience in the classroom. Videos must be submitted by teachers and placed in the appropriate grade categories.  For complete rules and guidelines for participating in the eInstruction Classroom Makeover Video Contest, visit www.eimakeover.com. 

 

The complete eInstruction Classroom Makeover is valued at approximately $30,000 for each winner. In addition to the classroom technology, winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a celebratory party for the entire school. 

eInstruction is a leading education technology company dedicated to providing interactive teaching and learning technology and services that help educators drive academic progress every day, and give administrators the ability to monitor, aggregate, and analyze student performance data. The company offers educators and administrators a family of software, student response systems,

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about eInstruction, please visit http://www.einstruction.com. lrusso@stantoncomm.com. For media inquiries, please contact Lori Russo at Stanton Communications at (410) 727-6855 or