Pearson Digital Learning Announces Waterford Early Learning Program Server 4.0; Waterford 4.0 Features Expanded Content, Reporting and Functionality to Improve Instruction in Early Reading, Math and Science.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Pearson Digital Learning today announces the new Waterford New Waterford, town (1991 pop. 7,695), on NE Cape Breton Island, N.S., Canada, NE of Sydney. A former coal-mining center in a region that saw the last mine close in 2001, New Waterford experienced steady outmigration in the late 20th cent. Early Learning Program Server 4.0, the latest evolution of the Waterford Early Reading Program(TM) and Waterford Early Math & Science(TM). Combining content from the award-winning, research-based programs with new activities, enhanced reporting and expanded functionality, Waterford 4.0 provides a comprehensive solution to take young students from introduction to mastery of critical concepts in reading, math and science. Pearson Digital Learning will preview Waterford 4.0, which will be released this Fall, at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC NECC National Educational Computing Conference NECC Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (Norfolk, VA) NECC Net-Enabled Command Capability NECC Northeast Mississippi Community College NECC North Equatorial Counter Current ) in San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. this week. The Fall release marks the first time the Waterford Early Learning Programs will be available for the Macintosh platform, allowing schools to leverage their existing technology investments while offering access to a wider range of students. To provide added flexibility, schools may choose to deploy Waterford's adaptive, computer-based instruction from the new Waterford Server 4.0 or from Waterford's individual programs via peer-to-peer networks. Reading In Waterford 4.0, reading content and activities are now organized into five instructional strands that align with the five components of Reading First: phonological awareness Phonological awareness is the conscious sensitivity to the sound structure of language. It includes the ability to auditorily distinguish parts of speech, such as syllables and phonemes. , phonics phonics Method of reading instruction that breaks language down into its simplest components. Children learn the sounds of individual letters first, then the sounds of letters in combination and in simple words. , comprehension and vocabulary, fluency and language concepts. Spanning three levels, each strand is composed of Learning Objectives containing five to eight activities that are sequenced based on the latest reading research. This organization promotes student learning and mastery toward each of the strands, while providing teachers with a clear view into student mastery of each concept. In addition, the reading program features 40 new and enhanced reading activities, and a new dynamic sequencer See MIDI sequencer. (music) sequencer - Any system for recording and/or playback of music via a programmable memory which stores music not as audio data, but as some representation of notes. . Currently employed in Waterford Early Math & Science, this data sequencer technology enables the program to digitally determine the next learning needs for a student based on his or her performance to date, providing for a more dynamic early reading experience and assessment for each student. Math and Science Waterford's math and science content and activities foster hands-on exploration and inquiry-based learning Inquiry based learning describes a range of philosophical, curricular and pedagogical approaches to teaching. Its core premises include the requirement that learning should be based around student questions. , while giving students a solid foundation in basic skills as well as creative problem solving Creative problem solving is the mental process of creating a solution to a problem. It is a special form of problem solving in which the solution is independently created rather than learned with assistance. Creative problem solving requires more than just knowledge and thinking. . Each of the program's three levels are organized into four strands: daily activities, number concepts, abstract concepts, and science. Each strand includes learning objectives reflecting national and state standards. Waterford 4.0 adds three new science experiments to the program's science lessons, which are based on the idea that all students can be scientists. In mathematics, Waterford provides instruction, practice, application, assessments, and review to help students achieve competency in both number skills and abstract thinking before moving to higher math objectives. Enhanced Reporting Recognizing the ever-increasing need for student data on performance, growth and achievement, Waterford 4.0 provides enhanced reporting to give teachers the tools they need to monitor student progress and target instruction and interventions. New features include reports organized by Learning Objective as well as expanded drill-down features to better inform teachers' instruction and decision-making. Teacher Responses Teachers in Pocatello/Chubbuck District #25 in Idaho, who piloted Waterford 4.0 while it was being developed, reported that the program helped to improve both teaching and learning in a variety of ways. For example, one teacher valued the variety of activities available in Waterford, noting that "they held students' attention and students were more focused." Another teacher appreciated how Waterford complemented classroom instruction and saved time, stating that, "Waterford covers science and math concepts that I do not have time to cover." In addition, another teacher praised Waterford's ability to individualize in·di·vid·u·al·ize tr.v. in·di·vid·u·al·ized, in·di·vid·u·al·iz·ing, in·di·vid·u·al·iz·es 1. To give individuality to. 2. To consider or treat individually; particularize. 3. instruction to match each student's ability level, stating that, in particular, "Lower level students felt better about their achievements." About Pearson Digital Learning At Pearson Digital Learning 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(R) Enterprise and NovaNET(R) educational courseware; and the KnowledgeBox(R) digital learning system. Pearson Digital Learning is also the exclusive distributor for the Waterford Early Reading Program(TM) and Waterford Early Math & Science(TM), adaptive computer-based instruction developed by the Waterford Institute. Pearson Digital Learning is part of Pearson Education Pearson Education is an international publisher of textbooks and other educational material, such as multimedia learning tools. Pearson Education is part of Pearson PLC. It is headquartered in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. the world's leading integrated education The Integrated Education movement in Northern Ireland is an attempt to bring together children, parents and teachers from both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, the aim being to provide a balanced education, while allowing the opportunity to understand and respect all company, which in turn is part of Pearson (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : PSO PSO - Oracle Parallel Server ) the international media company. More information can be found at: http://www.PearsonDigital.com/. |
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