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Homes of Our Own Named 'Computers for Youth' Finalist
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Building Homes of Our Own was named a finalist in the "Computers for Youth Family Learning Software" award program. | Building Homes of Our Own, NAHB’s middle school education simulation program that now reaches more than 3 million students, educators and parents, was selected as a finalist for the first "Computers for Youth Family Learning Software of the Year Award." The winner will be announced in New York on April 20.
“Educators and students have told us time and again how valuable our education program is to them,” said David Pressly, NAHB president.
The Family Learning Software of the Year finalists were selected by a panel of education technology executives from eight of the top school districts across the country. The executives listened to presentations from middle school students who had evaluated each of the nominated software titles. The student teams demonstrated each of the programs and discussed their educational value with the executives.
“The fact that students were so integral to the finalist judging process and will ultimately select the winner validates our success in providing a top-notch and entertaining education program to our nation’s school children — whether we win or not,” Pressly said.
Building Homes of Our Own, available in a CD-ROM format, was launched in 2002 as part of an ongoing NAHB educational outreach initiative. Since then, it has been requested by and delivered to almost 39,000 teachers nationwide.
In mid-2005, NAHB released Version 2.0, which allows users to save work to a computer network and gives school systems greater flexibility to use the program.
The CD-ROM is free to classroom educators and members of NAHB's home builders associations. Copies can be ordered through the NAHB’s Building Homes of Our Own Web page: www.homesofourown.org.
Building Homes of Our Own was developed with support from the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of NAHB, and Freddie Mac.
Version 2.0 was made possible with funding by the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. The Chicago-based firm, Media Options, Inc., developed the program.
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