Best Buy Canada's Best in Class Fund to award $200,000 in technology grants
to schools in Canada

Retailer engaging some of Canada's top technology and education experts to evaluate submissions

Announcement Highlights:

• Best Buy is awarding $200,000 in technology grants to ten Canadian schools
• Geek Squad will offer technology support to each of the winning schools
• Schools may submit their video and written proposals from September 13 through October 24
• Since 2008, Best Buy has awarded $500,000 in technology grants through Best in Class

BURNABY, BC, Sept. 8 /CNW/ - Attention class - Best Buy Canada is looking to award $200,000 in technology grants to teachers and students who are passionate about technology in the classroom. Starting Monday, September 13, Canada's fastest growing retailer of consumer electronics will begin accepting entries for its 2010 Best in Class Fund program.

The need for effectively incorporating the latest technology into Canadian schools was highlighted in a 2009 survey of advanced use of ICTs (Integrated Communications Technologies) conducted by the International Telecommunications Union. The survey showed that Canada dropped to 19^th place, down ten places from its ninth place standing in 2002, indicating that Canada is losing its competitive edge regarding technology into the classroom.

The Best in Class Fund program was conceived in 2008 to inspire teachers and students to develop compelling educational projects that will advance learning through the integration of technology in the classroom. This type of learning is recognized as key for scholastic success by numerous experts including Dr. David Vogt, Director of Digital Learning at the University of British Columbia's Educational Technology Department and member of the Best in Class Technology Advisory Board.

"There are numerous studies that show how the effective use of technology by trained teachers can create a superior learning experience for students," says Dr. Vogt. "What makes Best in Class such a strong program is that it equips schools with cutting edge technology and then brings in experts to help teachers and students understand how they can best integrate this new technology into the classroom."

Geek Squad support to maximize impact
In addition to $20,000 for the latest in digital technology, each of the ten winning schools will also receive in-the-classroom support and ongoing online support from Best Buy's Geek Squad. Experts in technology installation, trouble shooting and functionality, the Geek Squad will offer their expertise to the teachers and students of the winning schools to help them understand how to get as much as possible out of this new technology to maximize the learning experience.

The submissions will be reviewed by the Best in Class Technology Advisory Board comprised of leaders in the areas of technology and education. This year's advisory board members include: Dr. David Vogt, Director of Digital Learning Projects for the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Education; Dr. Michele Jacobsen, Chair of Educational Studies in Language, Culture & Technology at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Education; as well technology experts and respected journalists Marc Saltzman and Francois Charron.

About Best in Class
The Best in Class Fund Program began in 2008 and to-date Best Buy has donated $500,000 in technology grants to schools in Canada. The program is open to teachers and students in grades 7 - 12 in BC, AB, SK, MB, ON and NS, levels 2 - 5 in French-speaking QC schools and grades 8 - 11 in English-speaking QC schools.

Students and teachers are asked to develop their proposals, which must include a video and a written proposal that outline how they would like to integrate various consumer electronic technologies in the classroom and how it will provide an educational benefit, and submit online at www.BestBuy.ca/BestinClass between Monday, September 13 and Sunday, October 24, 2010. One submission is allowed per school and it can come from a single class, or from a cross section of students and teachers from the same school, such as Student Council or other student clubs.

For more Best in Class information and submission guidelines, please visit www.BestBuy.ca/BestinClass.

About Best Buy Canada
Best Buy stores in Canada are a division of Burnaby, BC-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY). Best Buy is Canada's fastest-growing retailer and e-tailer (www.BestBuy.ca) of consumer electronics, computers and entertainment products and also operates the Geek Squad (www.GeekSquad.ca), a technology service provider specializing in computer support, home theatre installation and car electronics installation. There are more than 65 stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Best Buy offers consumers a unique shopping experience with the latest technology and entertainment products, at the right price, with a no-pressure (non-commissioned) sales environment. The Company is committed to kids and its local communities and has a comprehensive community relations program described at www.BestBuy.ca/community.

For more information about Best Buy, including store locations, visit www.BestBuy.ca.

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