CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- ExploreLearning, a business
unit of Voyager Learning Company (OTC: VLCY.PK), announced today that its
award-winning online simulation library has been highlighted in two recent
best-selling books on instructional best practices, Using Technology with
Classroom Instruction That Works, by Howard Pitler et al (Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development and Mid-continent Research for
Education and Learning, 2007), and Technology in the Secondary Science
Classroom, edited by Randy Bell et al (National Science Teachers Association,
2007).
Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works builds on Robert
Marzano's landmark book Classroom Instruction That Works by linking his nine
categories of effective instructional strategies with educational technology
applications and resources. According to Howard Pitler, Ed.D., Senior Director
for Curriculum and Instruction at Mid-continent Research for Education and
Learning (McREL) and lead author, ExploreLearning's Gizmos are an effective
and engaging way to move students to inquiry science and math. We show
examples in the book of a number of the nine categories of effective
instructional strategies that are truly enhanced by this excellent resource.
This is especially true when looking at nonlinguistic representation and
generating and testing hypothesis. We also see Gizmos as a good way to move
students to higher level thinking skills.
Technology in the Secondary Science Classroom describes effective uses of
technology in today's science classrooms that facilitate data collection and
analysis, enhance scientific understanding through imagery and visualization,
and extend inquiry through communication and collaboration. Randy Bell,
Associate Professor in the Curry School of Education at the University of
Virginia and co-editor of Technology in the Secondary Science Classroom notes,
We included ExploreLearning Gizmos as examples because they embody what
research points to as characteristics of effective simulations. Gizmos are
content focused, they encourage inquiry instruction and they actively engage
students in learning. These features are very well aligned with the findings
of more than two decades of research on the effective uses of computer
simulations in science instruction.
We are very pleased and gratified that Gizmos have been included in these
two important books from ASCD and NSTA, says ExploreLearning Founder, David
Shuster, Ph.D. We have learned a great deal from the authors over the years
and look forward to continuing to follow their work as we advance our mission
of developing products that promote research-proven practice in math and
science classrooms.
For more information on Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that
Works, (ISBN 978-1-4166-0570-6) please visit ASCD's online store at
http://shop.ascd.org/productdisplay.cfm?productid=107025
For more information on Technology in the Secondary Science Classroom,
(ISBN 978-1-93353-127-4) please visit NSTA's online store at
http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/9781933531274
About ExploreLearning
ExploreLearning Gizmos are the world's largest library of interactive,
online simulations for math and science in grades 3-12. Gizmos bring research-
proven instructional strategies to classrooms all over the world. With more
than 400 Gizmos online, ExploreLearning's growing base of inquiry-based
learning materials provides a powerful enhancement to the way teachers teach
and students learn. For more information, please visit
http://www.explorelearning.com.
About Voyager Learning Company
Voyager Learning Company (OTC: VLCY.PK) is based in Dallas, Texas, and is
a publisher of education materials and provider of education solutions serving
the K-12 market. Through its product lines, which include Voyager Expanded
Learning, ExploreLearning and Learning A-Z, the Company is a leading provider
of K-12 curriculum products, in-school core reading programs, reading and math
intervention programs, and professional development programs for school
districts throughout the United States.
SOURCE Voyager Learning Company
CONTACT: Media: Julia Given of ExploreLearning,
+1-866-882-4141 ext. 223, jgiven@explorelearning.com;
Investors, Shannan
Overbeck of Voyager Learning Company, +1-888-399-1995 ext. 9476,
soverbeck@voyagerlearning.com
