Video contest judges revealed

eInstruction has announced the judging panel of its third annual Classroom Makeover Video Contest. The panel includes advocates for educational technology, television personalities, media representatives and members of the nationally recognized band, Flobots.

The judging panel will choose three classrooms to win interactive classroom makeovers. The winners will each be awarded more than $30,000 in educational technology from eInstruction, Dell, 3M, Texas Instruments and other educational technology companies. The contest closes at noon Eastern time on November 10.

On November 17, five finalists will be chosen from three grade categories (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12). The judging of the finalists’ videos will take place between November 17 and December 4. One grand prize winner will be announced for each grade category on or around December 18.

Members of the judging panel include:

• Flobots- Alternative rock and hip-hop group, Flobots, achieved mainstream success with its 2007 debut album Fight With Tools. In 2008, Flobots started Flobots.org, a non-profit organization that works to create positive social change by harnessing the power of music and those who love it.

• Dr. Don Knezek- CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), an organization dedicated to improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education.

• Christine Weiser— Weiser is the Managing Editor of Tech & Learning, a magazine that provides resources and strategies that enhance the K-12 learning experience by integrating digital technology. She is the co-author of “Ask Mr. Technology: Get Answers” and the editor of other education book titles, including “Copyright for Administrators.”

• Jenna Johnson—As the Washington Post’s Student Life and Culture Reporter, Johnson reports on issues relevant to education in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

• Jackie Nespral – At NBC News in Miami, Nespral anchors “South Florida Nightly News” and “South Florida Tonight.” In 1991, she became the first Hispanic ever to anchor a network news program and has received two Emmy awards.

• Pat Harvey – A 16-time Emmy award winner, Harvey anchors CBS’s Prime 9 News in Los Angeles. Committed to community service, Harvey is co-chair of the Good News Foundation, an organization that gives out annual scholarships to deserving, future broadcast journalists and raises charitable funds.

About the eInstruction™ Classroom Makeover Video Contest

The competition is open to primary and secondary students and teachers in the United States and Canada. Entrants are invited to submit short, creative music videos demonstrating how they would use advanced technology to enhance their learning experience in the classroom. For complete rules, visit www.eimakeover.com.