Bing in the Classroom #AdFreeSearch

As a mom of two elementary students, I know that computers play a major role in their education. They use them at school and at home to play math games, research for projects, and generally learn computer skills. We are fortunate enough to be able to have multiple devices in our home – a desktop, laptop, Kindle Fire, and smartphones. But in a school where a significant number of students are from low-income households, I know that not all of my kids’ friends have that option. A few years ago, I supported a project at my kids’ school to purchase a mobile tablet cart. It took a good bit of fundraising, but now the teachers can check out a cart from the library that has 20+ tablets loaded with educational apps and access to the Internet. They can use them in the classroom in a way that has changed the way my kids and their friends learn. Technology has changed and it only makes sense that the way we use it in school will too. Of course, new technology means that kids have access to a lot of things they don’t need to be learning too. That’s where Bing in the Classroom comes in.

About Bing in the Classroom

Bing in the Classroom is an innovative new program for schools. When students use Bing to search, all advertising is removed. (Except of course, from the individual website they visit.) There are also strict filters for adult content and enhanced privacy protection. I don’t know about you, but that is a big relief. I trust my kids to not click on inappropriate things, but with all the advertising online, it’s easy to get distracted. How many times have you been searching for something, only to get sidetracked by something else?

Check out this video to learn more about Bing in the Classroom.

Big Rewards for your school

Bing is making it easier for parents and friends to support their schools too. Through the Bing Rewards program, you can earn credits towards Microsoft Surface tablets in the school of your choice. All you have to do is sign up and search with Bing. Search for your school by zip code to see how many people are supporting it, how many tablets have been earned, and how many more they need. While you’re there, check to see if your school is registered for their ad-free, safer search program too.

How To Sign Up for Bing Rewards

Signing up is easy and takes just a few minutes. Visit Bing Rewards and select “Find your school” map in the lower right corner of the page. Enter your school’s zip code and select the name of your school via the dropdown menu and select “Find”.  From here, select the “Support Your School” section and click on the “Try it now, FREE!” section. You’ll be prompted to create a Microsoft account, or sign in with your Facebook account. All you have to do is stay signed in as you search with Bing to earn credits.

Is your school participating in Bing in the Classroom? How are you supporting your children’s education?

Disclosure: Thanks to Bing for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own.