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A Digital Teachers Aide?
New ‘Ask Nancy’ Feature on Pearson Digital’s KnowledgeBox Provides Tips & Resources to Time-strapped Teachers

Scottsdale, Ariz. � July 28, 2005 � Despite evidence that the use of digital media greatly enhances lesson presentation, engagement and, therefore, overall student performance, a majority of teachers surveyed said they use digital resources less than 25 percent of the time. One of the main reasons, according to the study, �Effective Access: Teachers' Use of Digital Resources in STEM Teaching,� is lack of teacher time to properly research and plan for its use.

To address this need, Pearson Digital Learning (PDL) has added a new feature to its KnowledgeBox® digital learning system: a live master educator/technology specialist who reviews vast amounts of digital resources for quality and educational content, and then links them to lessons, thus allowing teachers to easily incorporate them into their daily instruction.

The feature, called �Ask Nancy,� is delivered in the form of a newsletter accessible to all KnowledgeBox users via the Planning section of the site, or through the KnowledgeBox.com web site. For every day of the month, 30-year teaching veteran Nancy Campbell, a development curriculum specialist at PDL, provides suggestions for lessons and media resources, tied to events, holidays, or historical occasions. Additionally, Campbell addresses questions submitted by teachers, and technical issues to help educators make better use of the entire KnowledgeBox system.

The first K-6 digital learning system for reading/language arts, math, science and social studies, KnowledgeBox provides immediate and centralized access to a rich resource of digital media, and empowers educators to quickly and easily integrate technology and high-quality core instructional content into their curriculum.

�There are so many wonderful digital and web-based resources available, but teachers simply haven't the time to search, review and select those that are not only appropriate but that support standards and connect to events today's students can relate to,� said Peggy Kinder, vice president of education at Pearson Digital Learning. �Through �Ask Nancy,' KnowledgeBox does the legwork for teachers. It's as if teachers have their own personal aide, and one who combines 30 years' classroom experience with a keen insight into how digital media can enhance the learning experience for all students.�

Tammye Keegan, a second grade teacher at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Phoenix, Ariz., said, �All our teachers and students absolutely love KnowledgeBox � the students because the lessons and information it provides are so interesting and exciting; the teachers because it helps improve our test scores. I didn't think it could get any better, but �Ask Nancy' is a very cool concept. If I get stuck or can't find something, I now have an expert resource to call upon.�

In the May issue of �Ask Nancy,� for example, Campbell writes to teachers: �For many of you, May probably means that you and your students are looking forward to a summer break. I know that was the case in my classroom. It also meant that I had to work just a little harder to keep my students motivated. Luckily, May offers many events that can help you provide motivating curriculum that will keep your students actively engaged right to the end of the very last day of the semester.�

Campbell then goes on to note several lessons can be tied to events like Cinco de Mayo or �Physical Fitness and Sports Month� or "Healthy Vision Month�; anniversaries such as the opening of the Transcontinental Railroad or the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens; historic events such as the start of the Lewis & Clark Expedition or North Carolina's secession from the Union; and numerous other opportunities such as birthdays and even less serious events such as the invention of Coca Cola. All have one thing in common: links to lessons and supporting media that can be found on the KnowledgeBox system.

Prior to her retirement from education in 2001, Nancy Campbell served as the technology curriculum specialist in the Mesa Public School system for five years, working with students and teachers to integrate technology in their daily classroom activities. Campbell discovered technology as a resource beginning with Apple computers in the mid 1980s, noting immediately the impact they made on her students' learning. �I was the last person you'd expect to be a technology innovator and advocate,� said Campbell . �But after seeing how much more engaged my students were, and how the technology could help connect with almost every learning style, I can't imagine why anyone would not use it.�

About Pearson Digital Learning

Working side by side with educators for over 40 years, Pearson Digital Learning is the leader in proven, comprehensive technologies for preK-12 education. Our mission is to provide innovative, research-based digital learning solutions that elevate the art and science of teaching, and inspire children to reach their greatest potential. Reaching more than 20 million students annually, our products include: the SuccessMaker® Enterprise and NovaNET® educational courseware; and the KnowledgeBox® digital learning system. Pearson Digital Learning is also the exclusive distributor for the Waterford Early Reading Program™ and Waterford Early Math & Science™, adaptive computer-based instruction developed by the Waterford Institute.

Pearson Digital Learning is part of Pearson Education the world's leading integrated education company, which in turn is part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO) the international media company. More information can be found at: http://www.PearsonDigital.com.

Contact

Matt Murphy, Corporate Communications Manager
480-294-3959
Matt.Murphy@pearson.com