Canada's 8th 'Classroom of the Future Challenge' Winners Announced

-Three National Winners to Receive a Makerspace Kit-

TORONTO, April 15, 2016 /CNW/ - MindShare Learning Technology, a catalyst in driving innovation in education and nurturing 21st century skills, announces the 8th 'Classroom of the Future Challenge' national winners.

The contest challenged Canadian teachers to capture innovative teaching & learning with technology practices through a two to four minute video, podcast, or digital portfolio depicting how they engaged and motivated students in the 21st century classroom.

"The MindShare Learning Classroom of The Future winners showcased significant examples of how teachers and students can use technology to accelerate and extend 21st Century teaching and learning in rich ways! The winning entries incorporated innovative uses of coding, inquiry-based pedagogy and rich collaborative practice fused with real world learning to create engaging and powerful learning environments. Well done, Classroom of The Future winners!" Tim Gard, Lead Judge, MindShare Learning Technology

MindShare Learning would like to recognize the three (3) national winners from Western, Central, and Eastern Canada for their outstanding entries. These teachers rose above a very competitive field of entries in their abilities to use technology to enhance student learning in their classrooms using a wide variety of tech tools. Each winner will receive a Makerspace Kit, including: furniture, 3D printer, computers, robots and software valued at over $10,000 each.

Official contest website: http://mindsharelearning.ca/classroomchallenge2016/contest/

Since the contest inception, MindShare and its valued sponsors have allocated approximately $500K in prizing to schools across Canada.

Western Canada Winner

Teacher: Angela Quilley, Allison Handelsman
School: Cranston School (Calgary Board of Education)
Location: Calgary, AB

Teacher Quote:

"Cranston School is a place of innovation both in technology and student learning. As teachers we build our professional capacity through technology as it allows us to enhance our teaching philosophies.  We are grateful to be recipients of the Classroom of the Future Challenge Grant and are excited for our students who will be able to explore and enhance their personalized learning through cross-curricular opportunities while using these tools." 
-- Mrs. Quilley and Ms. Handelsman (Teachers)

Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdq0-P0rRpA&feature=youtu.be

Central Canada Winner

Teacher: Linda Bouzanis, Tammy Doyle, Shannon Riley, Natalie MacDonald
School: St. Thomas More (Ottawa Catholic School Board)
Location: Ottawa, ON

Principal Quote:

"My heartfelt congratulations is extended to this team of passionate educators! I am thrilled that that our team is being acknowledged and celebrated for their creativity, collaboration and innovative teaching and learning practices. The "Classroom of the Future" has arrived here at St. Thomas More!"
-- Denise Gotell, Principal, St. Thomas More

Link to Digital Portfolio : https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10ifg4nla_nwzo4gwpZgewkwFSpXVwvom5UeN0pBeImk/edit#slide=id.g987fa073b_1_21

Eastern Canada Winner

Teacher: Sadie Bradbury
School: Highland Park Junior High (Halifax Regional School Board)
Location: Halifax, NS

Teacher Quote:

"We are absolutely thrilled at being the Eastern winners, and so excited that our hard working students will get the technology they deserve, to move forward with their projects and any future designs."
-- Sadie Bradbury, Teacher, Highland Park Junior High

Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk2e8Oj2jwM&feature=youtu.be

Supporting sponsors include: Advanced Education, Copernicus, Dell, Dremel, FreshGrade, Logics Academy, Promethean, SMART Technologies, Steelcase Education, STEM Learning Lab, ThePadcaster, TakingITGlobal.

About the MindShare Learning

MindShare Learning Technology is Canada's leading EdTech industry consulting, news and events company. MindShare counsels education and industry leaders in understanding the emerging needs of learners to succeed in the 21st Century global knowledge-based digital economy to support student success. MindShare Learning is also a proud publisher of Canada's Leading Technology & Learning eMagazine--The MindShare Learning Report

SOURCE MindShare Learning

Image with caption: "MindShare Learning Technology (CNW Group/MindShare Learning)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160415_C2670_PHOTO_EN_666463.jpg

Robert Martellacci, President, MindShare Learning Technology, [email protected], [phone]