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Five Winning Schools Given the Opportunity to Expand Educational Technology and Learning Resources for Students and Teachers

 

VERNON HILLS, Ill., and SILVER SPRING, Md. – January 5, 2009 – CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation and leading source of Information Technology (IT) solutions to educators and governments, and Discovery Education, the leader in digital video and multimedia-based learning, today announced the opening of the seventh annual “Win a Wireless Lab” sweepstakes.  The program gives K-12 schools nationwide the opportunity to win a 21st-century classroom, complete with tablet or notebook computers, wireless cart, interactive whiteboard, student response system, projector, printer and document camera.  CDW-G and Discovery Education also provide on-site training to all Win a Wireless Lab grand-prize winners.  The 2009 program will award five grand-prize winners.

 

To date, CDW-G and Discovery Education have awarded wireless computer labs to 18 schools, helping to increase teachers’ and students’ access to state-of-the-art educational technology.  Nearly 70 percent of past grand-prize winners noted that teachers have developed new projects and lessons that incorporate tablet computers and other technologies into their classrooms, according to a recent survey conducted by CDW-G. 

 

Previous winners also highlighted the important role of teacher professional development in integrating technology effectively into the classroom.  Bonnie Gambler, first grade teacher at Central Manor Elementary School (Pa.) noted, “We have in-service professional development training in the summer to update teachers on the latest technology, and teachers offer continuous professional development to each other throughout the school year.  For example, teachers have shared how they use unique applications like Moodle with the tablet computers to develop class Web pages, and MindMeisters, a Web-based mapping tool.”

“As CDW-G and Discovery Education enter the program’s seventh year, we are just as excited to award the 21st-century classroom as we were in 2003,” said Bob Kirby, senior director, K-12, CDW-G.  “Feedback from previous sweepstakes winners underscores the wireless lab’s positive impact on teaching and learning.  Win a Wireless Lab increases students’ access to the latest technology and supports alternative approaches to learning to help students achieve their educational potential.”

 

Previous winners are using the technology in myriad ways to advance learning.  At Central Manor Elementary School (Pa.), first graders are using the tablet computers to practice reading, writing and math skills, and third-graders are studying weather patterns with Discovery Weather.  Students at R. A. Jones Middle School (Ky.) researched the presidential candidates’ campaign platforms and conducted a mock election.  Students at St. Michael’s School (Pa.) are communicating with students around the world, sharing projects and learning about other cultures. 

 

In addition to the technology hardware included in the 21st-century classroom, Discovery Education will award a $5,000 digital media grant to the five grand-prize winning schools to help them more fully utilize the technology and engage students in learning.

 

“Effectively incorporating educational technology into the everyday classroom is crucial to developing students’ 21st-century learning skills,” said Mary Rollins, director, Discovery Education.  “Through Win a Wireless Lab, Discovery Education and CDW-G are helping schools prepare students for higher education and beyond.”

The sweepstakes opened January 2, 2009 and entries will be accepted until May 1, 2009.  CDW-G and Discovery Education encourage public and private school teachers, administrators and school and district technology specialists to enter by filling out an online form at http://www.discoveryeducation.com/cdwg.  For each prize drawing, winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries received.

Each of the five grand-prize winners will receive a 21st-century classroom valued at approximately $45,000, including:

Ø      Discovery Education digital media grant

Ø      20 notebook or tablet computers from HP, Lenovo or Toshiba

Ø      3 wireless access points from D-Link, Linksys or NETGEAR

Ø      1 Bretford mobile cart

Ø      1 interactive whiteboard from Promethean or PolyVision

Ø      20 Student Response Devices from Promethean or PolyVision

Ø      1 video projector from Epson or NEC Solutions

Ø      1 document camera from AVerMedia

Ø      1 laser printer from Epson or HP

Ø      1 video camcorder from Sony

 

In addition to the five grand-prize winners, CDW-G and Discovery Education will award:

Ø      Ten first prizes of a video projector from Epson or NEC Solutions

Ø      Ten second prizes of a notebook computer from Acer or Sony

Ø      Five third prizes of a digital camcorder from Canon

Winners will be announced in July 2009.  A complete list of rules is available online at http://www.discoveryeducation.com/cdwg.

 

About CDW-G

A wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation, ranked No. 34 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies, CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G) is a leading provider of technology solutions for federal, state and local government agencies, as well as educational institutions at all levels. The company features dedicated account managers who help customers choose the right technology products and services to meet their needs.  The company’s technology specialists and engineers offer expertise in designing customized solutions, while its advanced technology engineers can assist customers with the implementation and long-term management of those solutions.  Areas of focus include notebooks, desktops, printers, servers and storage, unified communications, security, wireless, power and cooling, networking, software licensing and mobility solutions.

 

For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1.800.808.4239, email cdwgsales@cdwg.com or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.