Lights – Camera – Action!
SMART launches World Teachers’ Day video contest
Educators around the world invited to create videos demonstrating classroom best practices
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- August 18, 2006 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that it is now accepting entries for SMART's World Teachers' Day Video Contest. Teachers across the globe are invited to submit videos that demonstrate how SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards are improving student learning outcomes. Seventy-five winners, selected from five global regions, will be eligible to win iPods, SMART Board interactive whiteboards and the grand prize, an all-inclusive trip to the BETT 2007 education technology trade show in London, England. The grand-prize winning video will be posted on SMART's website.
Started by UNESCO to recognize teacher contributions around the globe, and celebrated on October 5 in over 100 countries, World Teachers' Day aims to raise awareness of and appreciation for the vital contributions that teachers make to education. SMART's World Teachers' Day Video Contest aims to showcase teachers and highlight what they do for the personal growth of their students. As the global market segment leader in education technology products, SMART continues to support initiatives that inspire classroom best practices and have a positive impact on whole-class learning. SMART offers continuous training and support for teachers using technology.
"World Teachers' Day reminds all of us to express our thanks and give recognition to teachers around the world who devote themselves to mentoring and educating the next generation," says Nancy Knowlton, SMART's president and co-CEO. "Teachers ignite the imaginations of students and inspire them to learn through the effective use of our technology, and we look forward to the video entries showcasing just how they do that."
Contest details
The contest is open to K─12, primary and secondary teachers worldwide, in both public and private education. SMART's World Teachers' Day Video Contest 2006 closes on November 5, 2006. Winners will be announced in December. Prizes will be distributed to winners from five global regions consisting of Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and North America. The total value of all prize packages for the video contest is valued at more than US$20,000. Seventy five finalists will be chosen (fifteen from each region), to win an iPod shuffle. Of the 75 finalists, five regional winners will receive a SMART Board interactive whiteboard (one winner per region). Of the five regional winners, one global winner will receive an all-inclusive trip to attend the BETT 2007 Educators Conference in London, England. Full contest rules and details are available at www.smarttech.com/wtd.
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and global education market segment leader in user-friendly interactive whiteboards and group collaboration tools. The award-winning family of SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards is the most widely installed interactive whiteboard in the world because of its unsurpassed product quality, versatility and ease of use. School districts across the United States have standardized on SMART products, including New York City Board of Education, Atlanta Department of Education, Vermont Institute for Science, Math & Technology, and San Diego City Schools. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is used to teach 11 million students in 330,000 classrooms in over 100 countries around the world.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 800 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ottawa, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. To learn more about SMART as a company as well as SMART products and programs visit www.smarttech.com and www.education.smarttech.com
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For more information, contact
Jennifer Poole
Public Relations Specialist
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 – 11 Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone +1.403.802.2519 Fax +1.403.228.2500
JenniferPoole@smarttech.com
www.smarttech.com
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Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.