Girard students’ video is finalist in contest

Staff report

GIRARD

Girard High School is one of 15 finalists out of 191 music video entries in the 2010 eInstruction Classroom Makeover Contest open to schools in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.

Visit http://2010class-roommakeover.shycast.com/submission/show/617 to vote for the GHS entry, a parody of Lady Gaga’s hit “Just Dance.”

To learn more about the eInstruction Classroom Makeover contest, visit http://2010class-roommakeover.shycast.com/

Votes will be accepted through Dec. 2. Participants must register an e-mail address to vote for their favorite video.

Students were challenged to create a music video demonstrating how they would use technology to enhance their learning experience in the classroom. Videos are judged based on effective use of technology, portrayal of teachers and students working together, and overall creativity and spirit.

Five finalists were chosen in each grade category — kindergarten through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grades and ninth through 12 grades. The winner in each category will receive a complete classroom makeover worth more than $60,000 in advanced interactive technology. One grand prize winner will be announced for each grade category.

Jamie Williams, GHS visual-arts teacher, said, “This is a great chance for the students to participate in an event that requires them to be creative thinkers and solve complex problems through hands-on learning.” The school’s submission is titled “Just Learn.” It can be viewed online at www.GirardCitySchools.org.

This is the fourth year for the contest; last year, there were nearly 300 video submissions, and more than 15,000 people voted for their favorite videos online.