Funding, Grants & Awards

Compass Learning Selects Classroom Refresh Winners

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 12/11/14

Compass Learning has selected the winners for its Classroom Refresh Contest to receive approximately $185,000 in classroom technology and related services.

The contest asked teachers and students to create music videos demonstrating how technology could enhance classroom instruction. The winners were selected from among more than 120 entries to receive "personalized learning software, hardware, professional development and support packages from Compass Learning, Education Elements, Smart Technologies, NWEA and Middlebury Interactive Languages," according to a news release. "Each of the three winning classrooms will be transformed into engaging, collaborative learning environments in which educators are able to personalize instruction to meet the needs of their students."

The winners include:

• Joe Ginter's class, of St. Mary's Intermediate School, won the K-5 category for their video, "Wish We All Would Use Technology More";
• Dorothy Henson and her Algonquin Middle School class took the grand prize for grades 6-8 for their video, "Tech Tech Baby"; and
• In the category for grades 9-12, Julia Coots' class from Portland High School won first prize with their "Get Hype with Technology" video.

"Entering the Compass Learning Classroom Refresh Contest allowed us to experience the overwhelming support we received from our community," said Ginter. "Our students witnessed a ripple effect of support which started with the school, extended to the district, the community and to the state of Ohio. The entire experience, from creating the video to promoting it, was a positive learning experience for all."

Prizes for the winners include:

• Learning acceleration software and professional development from Compass Learning;
• Launchpad and Virtual Launchpad training from Education Elements;
• Smart Boards and projectors;
• Measures of Academic Progress licenses from NWEA; and
• A teacher license and 10 annual subscriptions to Middlebury Interactive Languages for the high school winner.

"We were so impressed with the imagination and enthusiasm that all participating students and teachers demonstrated in this contest," said Eileen Shihadeh, vice president at Compass Learning, in a prepared statement. "With more than 100,000 votes in total, the three winning teachers and their classes proved they are very deserving of a true classroom refresh! We are honored to make a difference in these schools by equipping them with technology that will help personalize the learning experience for each student."

More information is available at classroomrefreshcontest.com.