While students come to the classroom with different learning styles and abilities, the critical questions to be asked are: What is the ideal learning environment? How can students, teachers and parents illustrate an ideal learning environment? How can an ideal learning environment be determined?

Compass Learning, Inc., a provider of K-12 educational software that empowers teachers to unlock students’ potential for academic success and personal growth, is providing a national video contest to determine “What is the ideal learning environment” in U.S. public schools. Sparked by research that “a majority of students report they are bored in school1, while teachers who are being asked to do more with less are demoralized and even burned-out2,” this initiative is designed to ensure that students are engaged in the classrooms and teachers feel empowered to make a difference.

Compass Learning’s “Ideal Learning Environment Video Contest” encourages students, teachers and parents to submit videos through October 18, describing what they think the ideal learning environment should be. Video entries must be three or less minutes in length and can be as simple as a cell phone recording or elaborate as a produced video. In March of 2013, the finalists will be shared with teachers, administrators and others who have an interest in improving student learning to determine if the ideas can be implemented in classrooms across the nation.

The winner of the contest will be selected through a combination of a public votes and a panel of judges. The winner will receive a $15,000 prize. Ten thousand ($10,000) will go to the individual and five thousand ($5,000) will go to the school or a nonprofit supporting education if the winner of the competition is not associated with a school.

Compass Learning judges for the contest will include Tom Vander Ark, founder, GettingSmart.com; Ron Reed, founder, SXSWedu; Tom Norriss, executive director, Move Learning Forward Foundation; Ben Steinbauer, film director, writer; Kierstan Schwab, executive director, Texas PBS; Ann Henson, vice president, curriculum and instruction, customer support and services, Compass Learning and Arthur VanderVeen, vice president of business strategy and development, Compass Learning.

According to Eric Loeffel, chief executive officer for Compass Learning, “When learning is personalized to the ability level, interests, learning style and expression style of each student, their capacity to learn and succeed improves. We see students and teachers using our software, content and curriculum to personalize learning and achieve significant academic gains and personal growth by centering education on the individual needs and interests of each student. Now we want to hear how students and teachers would use personalized learning to create the ideal learning environment.”

Here’s an opportunity to showcase best practices in schools across the country and become a recipient of cash prizes. To learn more about Compass Learning’s Ideal Learning Video Contest and submit your videos, click on this link.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of two books, “Education Questions to be Answered” and “Current Issues and Answers in Education.” He is president of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. Holmes is the national superintendent of education for the National Save the Family Now Movement, Inc., a former teacher, school administrator and district superintendent. He can be reached at [email protected].

1 – Center for American Progress, “Do Schools Challenge Our Students? By Ulrich
Boser and Lindsay Rosenthal, July 10, 2010

2 – 2012 MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, March 2012