New York, Nov. 5, 2009 – Many educators agree that one of the best ways for children of all ages to enhance learning is through play and useful applications of the skills they have developed. Not surprisingly, then, many teachers are increasingly adding educational video games to their mix of classroom tools. Today, the education services and technology company Pearson [1] and the mathematics game developer Tabula Digita [2] are announcing the Pearson DimensionM Indiana After School Challenge, a program designed to encourage Indiana students to practice their computational fluency and problem-solving skills by playing the DimensionM educational video game after school hours.
The After School Challenge will be held the week of November 11-18, between 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. (EST) each day. Students can download a free version of DimensionM Powered by Pearson, the customized multiplayer game developed by Tabula Digita, at www.DimensionU.com/Pearson/Indiana. The games are aligned directly to the math curriculum in Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley enVisionMATH, the nation’s leading elementary math program and Pearson’s middle school programs, Prentice Hall Middle Grades Mathematics and Connected Mathematics (CMP2).
“By offering this creative after school challenge, Indiana educators are helping to simplify the complexities of math by presenting them in a relevant format that today’s students understand, “ said Ntiedo Etuk, chief executive officer of Tabula Digita. “This fusion of digital content and technology-based immersive learning systems will propel students to be more engaged in their own learning, practicing math even when they aren’t at school. And the best part of all is that the students won’t even realize how much they are learning because they will be having so much fun.”
The daily challenge will have students going head-to-head using their math skills to advance through timed video games. Each participant’s scores will be recorded and will accumulate throughout the weeklong challenge. To ultimately win the competitive challenge, students will have to navigate through numerous mathematical obstacles, and compete against students around the state, to score the most points as a grade over that same grade at any other school. Two winners from each grade level, grades three-eight, will receive $400 in educational materials for their schools.
Four years in the making, enVisionMATH is a research-based program that blends visual animations and interactive problem solving skills to build a strong foundation in math concepts. Published in both English and Spanish, enVisionMATH’s strong visual learning design includes a Visual Learning Bridge in each lesson, with step-by-step visuals that bridge the gap between the interactive learning activity and guided practice.
The strength of student support is continued with both middle school mathematic program offerings from Pearson: Prentice Hall Middle Grades Mathematics and Connected Math. Prentice Hall Middle Grades Mathematics draws upon math expert Randy Charles’ expertise to continue developing students’ problem solving skills with real-world applications and meaningful connections with proven success. With its student-centered, problem-based approach and focus on engaging students in mathematics discussion, investigation, and application, CMP2 helps students develop deep mathematical understanding by becoming active participants in their own learning.
“Math can be a challenging subject for many children, but strong math skills are vital to success in school and in life,” said Mike Evans, Pearson’s senior vice president of mathematics. “We believe that the games encourage and motivate students to practice and master complex material. Their success is fueled by individual comprehension.” He added, “We are witnessing a renaissance whereby students are not only captivated by these games but they are learning core content that will build the rock-solid foundation in math they will need to be prepared for college level work.”
About Pearson
Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education services and technology, reaches and engages today’s digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company’s investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company’s respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, and many others. Pearson’s comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson’s commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson’s other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com [3].
For more information about Pearson’s math curriculum products, visit www.pearsonschool.com [4].
About Tabula Digita
Tabula Digita is the world leader in the development of innovative educational video games. Research-based and aligned to state standards, the award-winning DimensionM and League of Scientists instructive tools currently support math and science curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students. Through its fusion of collaborative, content-rich, immersive learning environments, Tabula Digita’s single and multiplayer products have been proven highly effective in increasing student engagement, time on task, and achievement scores. Tabula Digita games are currently being used in school districts across the country including New York City Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Broward County Public Schools, and the Ft. Worth Independent School District in Texas. For more information, please call 1-877-6-TABULA or 1-877-682-2852 or visit www.DimensionM.com [5].