Skype's New Connected Classroom Sweepstakes Brings Celebrities Virtually To Students

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Skype

10 May, 2012, 20:15 GMT

- Sweepstakes Offers Classrooms Throughout the Globe Opportunity to have a Skype Video Call with Steve Harvey, James Patterson, Dylan and Cole Sprouse , Jackie Collins and Tinsel Korey

PALO ALTO, California, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Skype has launched the Connected Classroom Sweepstakes, offering schools throughout the world the chance to win a once in a lifetime Skype video call with well-known celebrities Steve Harvey, James Patterson, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Jackie Collins and Tinsel Korey*. This sweepstakes, which lives on the Skype in the classroom Facebook page, encourages more teachers to experience the value of video calling within the classroom by giving their students an exciting opportunity to meet a celebrity face-to-face via Skype on Wednesday, June 6.

"Through Skype video calling, we are able to bring the experience of speaking to well-known actors, comedians and authors who want to give back by sharing their story with students," said Andy Schmidt, head of social good of the Skype Division at Microsoft. "At Skype we believe that shared learning experiences greatly enhance education. This sweepstakes aims to help more teachers understand the value of video calling within the classroom and it further demonstrates Skype's belief that amazing learning experiences should be available to everyone."

To be eligible to enter, K-12 students (three to 18 years of age), teachers or educators must be new or existing members of Skype in the classroom, a free online community that helps over 28,000 registered teachers use Skype to enrich experiences for students. 

Here's how teachers can enter on Facebook:

Teachers may submit entries starting today on the Skype in the classroom Facebook page until Thursday, May 24 at 11:59 P.M. EDT, when five winners will be selected at random. Winners will be chosen and notified on Tuesday, May 29 at 2:00 P.M. EDT via email and will be announced publicly on Wednesday, May 30 at 9:00 A.M. EDT. The winning celebrity calls will take place on Wednesday, June 6 between 10 A.M. and 1 P.M. EDT or at the discretion of the celebrity.

With more than 28,000 registered teachers and counting, in over 190 countries, Skype in the classroom has enabled hundreds of thousands of students around the world to take part in valuable shared learning experiences. Skype offers an immediate way to help students discover new cultures, languages and ideas, all without leaving the classroom.

For more information on the Connected Classrooms Sweepstakes, please visit http://education.skype.com or the Skype in the classroom Facebook page.

*The celebrities were provided by 86400 movement and OpenEduTalk.

About Skype:

Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they're apart. Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype is a division of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free at www.skype.com.

About 86400 Movement:

The 86400 movement created and oversees a free speakers bureau that supports teachers and students in school districts throughout the world by providing free top-notch lectures by a renowned and diverse group of scholars, celebrities and content specialist on a variety of topics. The bureau has partnered with Skype to utilize Skype's technology to improve the use of technology as a teaching tool as well as to connect speakers with schools via Skype. The 86400 Movement mission is to bring people together to use their gift of 86400 seconds to make a positive difference in the world. The movement strives to awaken the social consciousness of individuals thereby encouraging volunteerism and social action in the areas of education and health & wellness.  86400movement.com

About OpenEduTalk:

OpenEduTalk.com offers a platform for authors, actors, athletes, speakers, business leaders and entrepreneurs to talk to students directly in their classrooms, worldwide about relevant issues in real time, live via Skype. Topics range from bullying to leadership. Our philosophy, "Talk to A Child, Change A Life." The company was launched in 2011 and created by author and entrepreneur, Jeff Rivera and Jane Ubell-Meyer, author, speaker and entrepreneur.

Contacts:

Skype
Andrew Schmidt
Andrew.Schmidt@skype.net

Kaplow for Skype
Jennifer Myers
skypeSG@kaplowpr.com
(212) 221-1713