Britannica SmartMath Gives Parents an Advanced Math-Training Tool at Home: New Online Service Personalizes Instruction with Assessments
Students from kindergarten through 8th grade can now improve their math skills with Britannica SmartMath (www. britannicasmartmath. com), an engaging and effective online math study-and-practice tool that individualizes instruction for each student.
Chicago (PRWEB) July 9, 2009
Students from kindergarten through 8th grade can now improve their math skills with Britannica SmartMath (www. britannicasmartmath. com), an engaging and effective online math study-and-practice tool that individualizes instruction for each student.
Developed by Hong Kong-based PLANETii (http://www. planetii. com/corpsite/index. jsp (http://www. planetii. com/corpsite/index. jsp)) and published by Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., Britannica SmartMath is an interactive program that delivers questions and activities in a game-like environment inhabited by amusing avatars and incorporating an award system that makes learning enjoyable and rewarding.
Exercises draw from a database of 35,000 questions on 91 topics. A key feature is the product's assessment program, which measures what students are learning throughout the study process and bases subsequent instruction on those assessments. The result is an effective instructional regimen based on the individual needs of each student.
"This is really something of a breakthrough in math instruction," said Joe Miller, Britannica's managing director of consumer sales and marketing. "By incorporating feedback into the learning process we customize the lessons to the strengths and weaknesses of each child. And since it's also a lot of fun, kids will enjoy studying math at home."
"Educators everywhere are moving toward this kind of 'formative' assessment, as it's called, because it's so effective," said Eric Wong, chief executive officer of PLANETii. "With Britannica SmartMath, parents can now have a tool at home that's in line with the latest educational thinking."
As part of this new Web initiative, Britannica and PLANETii have also introduced the first set of fully integrated online/offline workbooks for the retail market. As readers complete chapters--where they solve problems and equations instead of using the site's multiple-choice format--they receive codes to get credit for the work online. The workbooks come with a free one-month subscription to the site and a free tutoring session. To buy Britannica SmartMath or get more information about it, customers can go to www. britannicasmartmath. com.
About Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. is a leader in reference and education publishing whose products can be found in many media, from the Internet to cell phones to books. Britannica. com and Britannica Student Edition (http://student. britannica. com/ (http://student. britannica. com/)) are the online versions of the highly regarded and globally respected encyclopedia. A pioneer in electronic publishing since the early 1980s, the company also still publishes the 32-volume Encyclopaedia Britannica, along with other reputable products such as Britannica Student Encyclopedia, which are available online at http://store. britannica. com (http://store. britannica. com). The company makes its headquarters in Chicago.
About PLANETii
Founded in 2000 by graduates of M. I.T. and Stanford University, PLANETii has been a leading innovator in the application of formative assessment technologies in the field of Mathematics education. The company specializes in innovative ways to enhance children's learning experiences through the tight integration of quality curriculum content, creative design and patented innovative technology. The company makes its headquarters in Hong Kong.
Contact:
Tom Panelas
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
312-347-7309
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