newsLOCAL SCHOOL COULD WIN $25,000
IN cLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY
Centennial Campus Middle School (CCMS) is one of 5 finalists that could win $25,000 worth of classroom technology in the Interactive Classroom Makeover Contest. A group of 7th grade volunteers submitted a video describing how technology could help them in their classroom and were chosen as a finalist from almost three hundred international entries.
The video project is a collaboration between CCMS and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. The original song “eInstruction - It's Time” was written by the Friday Institute’s Dr. Lodge McCammon and sung by a student. The other student volunteers participated afterschool in making the video and sang backup vocals.
“I entered this contest because I thought this would bea great learning experience for my students,” says Jamie Hall, the teacher that co-created the video. “I thought my students could really learn about all the positive aspects of Web 2.0, especially video, and how other technology can make my teaching and their learning more interactive.
Dr. McCammon adds, “Music is a critical part of most students' lives and the ability to use songs and music videos in the classroom to enhance the learning experience not only utilizes technology tools but also engages students in new ways and ignites a passion for learning.”
The original song describes how technology can help make learning fun and engaging for students. It was filmed with an inexpensive Flip camera and edited using Macintosh software.
The video contest is sponsored by eInstruction—the company offers educators technology and software that help increase student engagement while providing real-time feedback to assess comprehension and customize lessons. The video can be viewed and voted for at:
http://eimakeover.shycast.com/contestant/456/
You must register to be able to vote. Public voting will continue until noon on November 14.
Brief Biographies
Mr. Jamie Hall is teacher and math and science department leader at Centennial Campus Middle School, where he has taught for 5 years. He thinks that by utilizing available technology tools in his classroom, he can better engage his students and they will have a more interactive and rewarding experience.
Dr. Lodge McCammon is a specialist in curriculum & contemporary media at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. He received his Ph.D. from NC State University’s College of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. His current project, FIZZ, focuses on how to safely incorporate video and web 2.0 technologies into the classroom. For more information, http://www.onfizz.org/demo