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Ink Labs Contest for WNY teachers to win $25,000 for classroom technology upgrades

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Mon, Mar 15th 2021 12:15 pm

Ink Labs – a Western New York company that builds interactive technology solutions to engage students and empower teachers – announced the launch of the 2021 Ink Labs classroom technology makeover contest. This promo is open to classroom teachers at any school in the eight counties of Western New York.

The Ink Labs contest is an opportunity for one lucky teacher and school to receive $25,000 in free technology upgrades for their classroom, consisting of:

65-inch interactive panel with embedded Windows PC on a mobile stand

√ Tiger Collaborative Media System (consisting of a 55-inch display, a mobile stand,

wireless mouse and keyboard, a three-times-pan-tilt-zoom camera and a Windows PC)

√ Drone pathway kits for 30 students

√ AustinAir Healthmate Plus

In addition, the top 10 overall contenders will be awarded a Sidekick Wireless Slate to recognize their achievement and participation.

A press release stated, “Contest entry submission is simple. Ink Labs asks eligible teachers to submit a video pitch up to three minutes in length that addresses how technology can improve student learning and why their classroom needs a technology makeover. There are no other guidelines for submitted videos.”

“We want teachers to tell us in their own words how technology has, can and should be used to enhance their instruction and ultimately improve student learning,” said Bill Naab, chief innovation officer at Ink Labs. “This contest isn’t just about getting free equipment; it’s about taking a critical look at how technology is being used to create the best learning environment possible for students – not just during the age of COVID, but after it as well.”

Participants can go to inklabs.us/makeover for full contest rules and video submissions. Contestants are also encouraged to share videos from the submission website to social media accounts to help generate votes.

“Video submission can be song and show parodies, documentaries, skits – whatever participants believe will make for the most compelling pitch – it’s all fair game,” Naab said. “We want students and teachers to enjoy this activity, and have a chance to win a fantastic set of prizes at the same time!”

The top 10 contenders will be selected by a panel of guest judges and educators, and the overall winner will be chosen by total social media response, with the formal announcement scheduled for National Teacher Appreciation Day (Tuesday, May 4).

The press release said, “Borne out of the challenges of teaching during a pandemic, Ink Labs created the Tiger Collaborative Media System – innovative technology that is an affordable, easy-to-use, teacher-friendly product that eliminates the learning barriers in a hybrid environment with both in-person and remote learners by creating a more engaging and connected experience for both students and their teachers.”

The Tiger CMS uses a videoconferencing point, tilt and zoom (PTZ) camera, and a custom-built computer to stream teacher instruction to their remote learners while they move around the classroom. And at the same time, the teacher is able to view their remote students on a 55-inch monitor instead of a small computer screen.

Naab said, “Instead of spending their time managing technology, and all the hassles associated with making the technology work properly, the Tiger CMS simply allows teachers to do what comes naturally to them and what they do best – teach!”

Ink Labs President Chirag Desai said, “The pandemic has been very hard on teachers and students. We think a technology makeover contest is a great way to celebrate one lucky teacher and their students and bring some happiness to what’s been a tough 12 months.”

Western New York-based Ink Labs Buffalo is an education company that builds technology products for K-12 schools. It was founded to address the gap between the promise and reality of technology.

Contest Key Dates

  • March 15 – contest launch; submissions live
  • April 16 – last day of submission
  • May 4 – winner selection

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