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Classes With Best Music Videos To Win $185,000 in Technology

• By Michael Hart
• 08/27/14

Compass Learning will give $185,000 worth of technology to three classrooms that can create the best music videos about the value of educational technology.

As the new school year begins, the company will introduce the Compass Learning Classroom Refresh Contest, in which it will "refresh" three classrooms with new educational technology.

The music videos should describe how technology can enhance the learning experience in their classrooms. A panel of judges and the public will consider the submissions in three categories depending on grade level.

Winning classrooms will receive an entire classroom technology makeover that will include:

• Compass Learning's learning acceleration software, along with the necessary professional development services;
• Education elements that include Launchpad and virtual Launchpad training;
• Smartboards and projectors; and
• All the necessary licenses and subscriptions for one year.

The three categories for the competition will be divided by grade level: K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. As a classroom, each entry should be in the format of a music video that includes a song, or the parody of an existing song, written by and performed by the class and teacher.

The song or parody should demonstrate or envision the use of technology in the classroom and mention Compass Learning at least once. Videos should not exceed 2 ½ minutes in length and the teacher is encouraged to be in the video along with the students.

At the end of the video, viewers should be directed to classroomrefreshcontest.com where they will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite submissions.

Entries can be submitted beginning September 19 to classroomrefreshcontest.com, where they will be judged on overall creativity, effectiveness of expressing the value of technology and production quality.

The deadline for submissions is October 24. Then, on November 3, five finalists from each grade category will be uploaded to the site and the public will be asked to vote for their favorite entries through December 1. Grand prizes in each grade category will be announced sometime around December 10.

The public, including classes that have submitted videos, can follow the contest on Facebook and Twitter at @compasslearning and #ClassroomRefresh.

"We can't wait to see the creativity and enthusiasm this contest inspires in students," said Compass Learning Vice President Eileen Shihadeh.