Winners of First Annual Teaching with Technology Story and Sweepstakes Contest

Educators from across Canada win technology for their classrooms

ETOBICOKE - CDW Canada announced the winners of its first annual Teaching With Technology(TM) Story Contest and Sweepstakes. Grand Prize and Runner-up winners in the Story Contest were teachers from Crescent Park Elementary, Surrey, B.C., and Northern Lights Elementary, Aurora, Ont., respectively. The five sweepstakes winners were educators from Crystal View Elementary, Victoria, B.C.; West Hill Public School, Toronto, Ont.; Henry Wise Wood High School, Calgary, Alta.; Carson Grove Elementary, Ottawa, Ont.; and Shannon Lake Elementary, Kelowna, B.C.

"We were overwhelmed with the positive response to our Story Contest. The passion and commitment that these educators have for their students and their profession is amazing and we were genuinely moved by their stories," said Mary Ann Yule, General Manager, CDW Canada.

CDW Canada's Teaching With Technology initiative offered K-12 educators and administrators across Canada the opportunity to win valuable computer hardware and software prizes for their classrooms. Teachers entering the Story Contest each described an experience where technology enhanced the learning experience in their classrooms, or could contribute to their ability to teach more effectively.

"Reading through the stories was fascinating because it reinforced the fact that teachers are using technology in imaginative ways to foster creativity and collaboration within their classrooms," said Ms. Yule. "We're proud to be able to reward these teachers and schools with technology prizes so they can help build the future skills required for young Canadians to succeed in a highly competitive global marketplace."

Story Contest Winning Entries

CDW Canada's Teaching With Technology Story Contest Grand Prize winner, Carolyn Logan-Estey, submitted a strong and moving story outlining how technology has improved the environment for students with learning difficulties at Crescent Park Elementary in Surrey, B.C. In the last three years, teachers at the school had to decide upon the best teaching strategy for students with learning differences. Should they continue to remediate to the students' weaknesses or should they compensate with technology and better enable them to succeed?

Teachers worked together to integrate technology into the school curriculum to help enhance student engagement and productivity, with significant results. By using technology, students were exposed to more meaningful learning and were motivated to achieve success.

Crescent Park Elementary will receive a Wireless Classroom Bundle valued at approximately $5,000 including the following: Four HP Notebook PCs, one HP Multi-Function Printer, one Toshiba Projector, one HP Wireless Access Point and four Symantec Norton 360 Software Packages.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be selected as the Grand Prize Winner from all the submitted stories from across the country," said Ms. Logan-Estey. "The Wireless Classroom Bundle will be a tremendous help to the students in our Learning Assistance Program. As we recently integrated technology with our curriculum, we anticipate these enhanced educational tools will offer a positive influence to all of our students for years to come."

CDW Canada's Teaching With Technology Story Contest Runner-up Prize winner Jay Major, a Grade 5 teacher at Northern Lights Elementary in Aurora, Ont., submitted a story recounting a creative project he used to inspire students to use technology. As Northern Lights began as an innovative, technology-based school, teachers there are always looking for new and inventive ways to add technology to the curriculum. For Mother's Day, Mr. Major had each of his students incorporate original poems, music, personal messages and photos into a movie. Students surprised their teacher with their imaginations and use of technology. With more than 10 thankful, sobbing mothers on his voicemail the Monday following Mother's Day, Mr. Major knew the project was successful. A subsequent, similar initiative for Father's Day garnered even more impressive results.

Northern Lights Elementary will receive a Classroom Workgroup Bundle valued at approximately $3,000 including the following: one HP Desktop PC; four ViewSonic Monitors; one HP Printer; four Logitech Keyboards and Mice; and one NComputing Access Terminal Kit.

"Technology is an important part of our educational strategy at Northern Lights Elementary," said Mr. Major. "The Workgroup Bundle's advanced technology will allow us to greatly expand our curriculum and lesson plans, while engaging our students even further. I am thrilled to integrate the technology into class projects and assignments next year."

Teaching with Technology Sweepstakes winners received prizes with a total retail value of over $3,000, including:

- HP Printer - Sherry Gurney, Crystal View Elementary, Victoria, B.C.

- Toshiba Notebook PC - Tracy Walters, West Hill Public School, Toronto, Ont.

- HP Mini-Note PC - Michelle Spurgeon, Carson Grove Elementary, Ottawa, Ont.

- HP Mini-Note PC - Stephanie Chan, Henry Wise Wood High, Calgary, Alta.

- Lexmark Printer - Sharon Foster, Shannon Lake Elementary, Kelowna, B.C.

CDW Canada is also pleased to recognize several other Story Contest entrants as Honourable Mentions for their technology stories, including:

- Chuck Baker, Dr. Charles Best S.S., Coquitlam, B.C. - A creative and interesting narrative describing how a teacher embraces technology

- Cheryl Bennett, View Royal Elementary, Victoria, B.C. - A poem that describes how teachers are learning to use technology to better engage students

- Erin Carey, Don Mills Collegiate Institute, Toronto, Ont. - A day in the life of a teacher who uses technology to its fullest

- Jennifer McDonald, Mistassiniy School, Wabasca, Alta. - A primarily aboriginal school with a high level of special needs students successfully uses technology to help students become more involved and engaged

- Ken Oakes, Cayoosh Elementary School, Lilloet, B.C. - A small, First Nations school incorporates technology into the classroom to promote literacy and interactivity (www.cayooshkidz.net)

- Joanna Principe, St. Mark Catholic Elementary School, Stouffville, Ont. - A class of students with learning disabilities is introduced to assistive technology, allowing them to take back control of their learning and become more confident

- Stephen Wilson, Geraldton Composite High School, Geraldton, Ont. - A teacher successfully embraces technology to improve students' work habits and foster communication (www.wilsonteacher.ca)

- Paul Wozney, Sackville High School, Lower Sackville, N.S. - The use of technology helps a teacher better connect with students, parents and colleagues

Overall, the first annual CDW Canada Teaching With Technology Story and Sweepstakes Contest awarded prizes to seven schools nationwide, totaling more than $10,000. To read the winning Story Contest entries and to view the full list of prizes and winners, please visit www.TeachingWithTechnology.ca.

Story Contest Prize Presentations: Photo and Media Opportunities

CDW Canada will award Carolyn Logan-Estey the Grand Prize (Wireless Classroom Bundle) on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. PT at Crescent Park Elementary in Surrey, B.C. Please RSVP to the media contacts listed below. Attending media are required to report to the school's office upon arrival.

CDW Canada will award Jay Major the Runner-up Prize (Classroom Workgroup Bundle) later this month.