DALLAS, May 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL), a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products, today announced the winners of its project-based learning contest. The challenge was designed to spotlight excellence in educator-created learning activities that engage students in authentic, curriculum-based and interdisciplinary activities.
First place winners for the four grade level categories received an iPad and will have their original activities published in the Study Island product beginning with the 2011-2012 school year. The first place winners are:
- K-2: Todd Beard, International Academy of Flint, MI
- Grades 3-5: Kimberly Urbaniak, Stowers Elementary, Lithia, FL
- Grades 6-8: Chris Blackstone, Franklin Middle School, Franklin, NH
- High School: Valerie Gray, East Tech High School, Cleveland, OH
"Project-based learning is all about engaging students and empowering them with the responsibility for their education. Programs have students writing in online journals, performing research on the Internet, and working in groups to synthesize, analyze and derive knowledge in ways that can't be accomplished using traditional classroom methodologies," said Tim McEwen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Archipelago Learning. "Our customer base is teeming with ideas on how to extend Study Island's engaging practice activities to further enhance students' academic performance. It's exciting to see just how imaginative these educators are, and to know that the real winners are the students who are taught by these amazing teachers."
Study Island offers innovative practice activities, customized assessments, and productivity tools that improve the performance of K-12 students and their teachers. Used in more than 23,000 schools across the country, the web-based educational program combines rigorous content in math, reading, writing, science and social studies with engaging, interactive features that reinforce and reward student accomplishments.
Entrants in the contest were encouraged to submit as many individual project-based learning activities as they wanted, as long as the submissions were original work. A panel of expert judges reviewed each activity and winners were selected based on creativity, relevance, quality and broad appeal. Second and third place winners for each of the four grade-level categories received Amazon gift cards. A complete listing of the winners can be found at: http://www.studyisland.com/pblcontest/
About Archipelago Learning
Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL) is a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products used by approximately 13 million students in about 37,500 schools throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our comprehensive digital supplemental product suite uses technology to transform education. We make rigorous learning fun, engaging, accessible, and affordable. For more information, please visit us at www.archipelagolearning.com.
Study Island is an instructional system that helps K-12 students master grade-level academic standards in a fun and engaging manner. More information, along with pricing for individuals and quantity discounts for educational institutions, is available at the Study Island website: www.studyisland.com.
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