PALO ALTO, Calif., 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:

‘Like’ Skype in the classroom’s Facebook page
Sign up for Skype in the classroom (if you are not already a registered member)
Describe in 150 words or less the ways they currently use or would use Skype in their classroom
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.

-Sources: Skype and www.sacbee.com

Here’s a little Blast From The Past section update i’m sure you guys remember Dylan and Cole Sprouse’s movie “The Kings Of Appletown” unfortunately that was a film most of us we didn’t get the chance to watch but today, i got you two behind scenes videos you problably haven’t seen before so, if we couldn’t see the movie at least we can enjoy the backstage clips now

Hey again guys well here’s another AWESOME new old Sprouse Lucky Fan pic i’ve found for all of you this girl you see in the picture met Dylan and Cole at The KCA’s 2010 Orange Carpet check it out and don’t forget to leave your comments and if you’re a lucky fan please, send your pics to Sprouseland.com

Hello everybody!! it’s time for a little Sprouse Lucky Fans Gallery update well i’ve recently found this picture another lucky girl who met Dylan and Cole at some unknown place…actually the photo didn’t provide much info about it, but i thought it was cool and i wanted to post it on Sprouseland Well congratulations to whoever this girl is…and of course our favorite boys looks amazing as usual don’t you think so?

These are Sprouseland’s best wishes to Dylan and Cole Sprouse’s mother and to all the wonderful mothers from all over the world have a great day full of love and blessings!!

-Laura (Sprouseland’s Webmaster)

It’s Saturday and i can finally update Sprouseland for everybody!! As all of you remember there was a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that sadly hit Japan around a year ago back then, our favorite twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse gave all their help to the victims, supporting The Shin Koyamada’s Foundation here’s a short interview the boys had at this event.

-Sources: Thanks to Shin Koyamada’s Foundation, NandaOnDeck from Youtube ,David @colesprousefan2 from Twitter and Our Sprouselander Krissy18.

Here’s another awesome fan encounter with our Sprouse Bros thanks for sharing this awesome photo with all of us and Dylan and Cole looks absolutely great as usual stay tuned for more everybody!!

Here’s a new and great pic i’ve just found for our Sprouse Lucky Fans Gallery yes, another NYC  met Cole Sprouse recently, she looks so happy and we can’t stop thinking we would love to be in her place  and  met our favorite Twins too

Someone sent this video to me on Twitter (Thanks to @beboopboboop by the way) again our Dylan Sprouse ona hilarious video titled “Third North Pie Your RA in The Face Day” have fun watching it and please don’t forget to leave your comments

Hey people finally i’m glad today’s Saturday and i can finally update Sprouseland for all you, here’s a new amazing photo this time our Dylan Sprouse  surrounded by some fans at NYU’s “Relay Of Life” event if you want to check it out in a HQ view just click on it and of course lets add this one to our Sprouse Lucky Fans Gallery collection More pics coming very soon…