14 DAY TRIAL // A Microsoft Partners in Learning initiative, the 2011 U.S. Innovative Education Forum has come to an end in July 2011, revealing no less than 11 winners
, the top educators nationwide.
The nine winning teams celebrated at the 2011 U.S. Innovative Education Forum will represent the United States at the upcoming Partners in Learning Global Forum, Nov. 6–11, 2011 in Washington, D.C., where they will compete against innovators in education from around the world.
The Redmond company provided a list with all the winners of this year’s U.S. Innovative Education Forum (IEF) which I included at the bottom of this article.
As I’ve said previously, the U.S. IEF is designed to celebrate educators that instead of following the curriculum to the letter use technology to innovate the learning and teaching process for the benefit of the students.
“The Innovative Education Forum is an inspirational event to honor and celebrate the significant achievements of our nation’s top educators who are using technology to help students thrive and grow into the next generation of leaders,” explained Andrew Ko, senior director, U.S. Partners in Learning, Microsoft.
“Every year, teachers are challenged to help their students achieve high academic standards. It is impressive to see how creatively these educators are transforming learning to inspire and motivate their students to adopt 21st century skills.”
Some 100 teachers participated in the seventh annual edition of the U.S. IEF, but only the 11 winners will also get a chance to further compete at the Partners in Learning Global Forum.
According to Microsoft, the 2011 U.S. IEF’s winners presented projects focused on driving literacy, creating entrepreneurship skills and on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning.
Collaboration
• 1st place: Colin Horak and Antonio Sablan, Franklin Pierce High School, Tacoma, Wash. Project Name: Project Unite
• 2nd place: Pauline Roberts, Birmingham Covington School, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Project Name: Engage – BCS!
Knowledge Building & Critical Thinking
• 1st place: Kelli Etheredge, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Mobile, Ala. Project Name: What’s the Verdict? The Count of Monte Christo Murder
• 2nd place: Margaret Noble and David Stahnke, High Tech High Media Arts, San Diego, Calif. Project Name: Illuminated Mathematics
Extended Learning Beyond the Classroom
• 1st place: Jason Arthur, Highland High Tech High School, Anchorage, Alaska. Project Name: Combat Fishin’!
• 2nd place: Nathan Manderfeld, James Monroe Elementary School , Bermuda, Calif. Project Name: iAM
Use of Technology for Learning
• 1st place: Louis Zulli Jr., Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School, St. Petersburg, Fla. Project Name: Center for Advanced Technologies News and Information Portal (CATNIP).
• 2nd place: Doug Bergman, Porter-Gaud School, Charleston, S.C. Project Name: XNA Game Studio for the Xbox
Educators’ Choice
• Melanie Wiscount, Palmyra Area High School, Palmyra, Pa. Project Name: History Video Podcasts & QR Codes