Imagine classroom of the future, and participate in the Surface Classroom Challenge

Microsoft believes education helps schools and universities, students and educators realize their full potential through technology solutions. Last summer, Microsoft offered Surface RT devices at a special price to academia.

While introduction of tablets, like Surface, in classrooms is changing the way of teaching and learning in the classroom, the classrooms haven’t changed much over the past century. Now, from rows of desks lined up facing a wall, Microsoft is seeking help in reimagining the classroom.

• What would it look like if every student had a Surface as a learning tool?
• How would Teachers teach with a Surface?
• What kind of furniture, and accessories would they need?
• How can we make using Surface in the Classroom even better?

To participate in the Surface Classroom Challenge, just sketch out your design and explain it. The Surface team is looking for ideas for Surface-enabled desks, bean bags chairs with Surface mounts, holders, stylus clips, backpacks… basically anything you can dream up!

The contest is open to students, professionals, and enthusiasts above 14 years of age. The contest is open globally, unlike most contests from Redmond. You could win a Surface 2 or a Surface Pro 2 for yourself, and the grand prize is a classroom full of Surfaces to be donated to the school of your choice. The contest ends on January 24, 2014.

In this video, Ralf Groene, Creative Director for Surface talks about how he and his team think about Surface user scenarios, and introduces the Surface in the Classroom Design Challenge -- asking you to submit your ideas for making Surface in the Classroom an even better experience.

This looks like a pretty interesting initiative, and the contest submissions could throw radical ideas about the future of teaching and learning at schools. What are your thoughts on the classrooms of the future? Head here to participate in the contest, and check out the official rules.

Source and Image Courtesy: Surface Blog