Wadsworth and Brooks/Cole Launch Opposing Viewpoints Research Center, Expanding Student Access to Opinions on Key Social Issues.Business Editors/Education Writers BELMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2003 Online Library Allows Students to Investigate Controversial Issues from a Variety of Perspectives In response to an increased demand for educational materials that build critical thinking and analytical skills, Wadsworth and Brooks/Cole, two comprehensive learning solutions providers that are part of the Thomson Corporation (TSX TSX Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE before April, 2002) TSX Transfer from Stack Pointer to Index TSX True Space Extension :TOC; NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :TOC), in partnership with the Gale Group See Thomson Gale. , also part of the Thomson Corporation, today announced the launch of the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center to students and professors in colleges and universities. The center is an interactive online tool that provides students with the content and context to evaluate and explore the key issues of our time, such as cultural conflict, genetic engineering, environmental protection, and terrorism. It offers students a strong focus on critical thinking and point-counterpoint arguments, as well as access to research tips and writing guidelines all in one seamless interface. This fully searchable, online resource center draws from material included in the social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, as well as core reference content from other Gale and Macmillan Reference USA sources. In addition, the site offers full-text op-ed articles from more than 30 major newspapers and news magazines (including The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times, Newsweek and The Nation). The information included in the resource center is divided into the following sections: Viewpoints, Reference, Statistics, Magazines and Newspapers, Images, and Web Sites to distinguish document types and allow students to navigate within a range of sources. This format gives students the opportunity to explore issues more deeply, think critically about the pros and cons pros and cons Noun, pl the advantages and disadvantages of a situation [Latin pro for + con(tra) against] of each position, and formulate their own opinions on such topics as: Are Internet filters at school libraries a violation of free speech or a necessary protection? Is embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells. ES cells are pluripotent. research ethical? Should parents be held responsible for crimes of their minor children? "With the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, we are empowering students with the resources and tools they need to get timely, relevant information pertaining per·tain intr.v. per·tained, per·tain·ing, per·tains 1. To have reference; relate: evidence that pertains to the accident. 2. to all sides of today's key controversial issues," said Susan Badger, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Wadsworth and Brooks/Cole. "We can offer students the best of both worlds: the unbiased, factual learning provided by a printed textbook and exposure to online research and viewpoints that encourage the development of critical thinking skills. Together, these learning materials provide students with a dynamic, effective learning experience." As they review the information, students can turn to the Research Guide within the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center for analysis and critical thinking tools they can use to evaluate facts and arguments, and to decide for themselves whether to accept, reject or suspend judgment about a claim. The Research Guide teaches students how to distinguish fact from opinion and bias from reason. It offers suggestions on how to evaluate sources and identify an author's values and credentials. Students can also access the Toolbox feature at the site for assistance in organizing their research and preparing an effective report or presentation. The Toolbox offers advice on topics including how to write a thesis statement A thesis statement is a focused selection of text that can be anywhere from just one sentence to a few pages in size that clearly delineates the argument that will be taken in a proposed paper to be written. , make an outline, build an argument, and create visual representations of data. "Higher education higher education Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. students are demanding enriched learning environments to augment the printed text and classroom discussion," said Adam Newman, vice president of research at Eduventures. "The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center fills a growing need in the market by providing students with the ease of online research and the interactivity of web-based course enhancements. By capitalizing on advances in technology and expanding learning options for students and professors, Wadsworth and Brooks/Cole make it possible to further customize courseware, streamline the research process and maintain a high level of student interest." The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center can be used in conjunction with InfoTrac(R) College Edition and NewsEdge, additional online services from Thomson, providing a full suite of news, research, and opinion articles. InfoTrac College Edition is a searchable database Refers to databases on the Web that are searchable by typing in a query. The term is quite redundant because all databases are searchable. In fact, that is one of their major features. that offers 20 years worth of full-text articles from close to 4,000 diverse sources, including academic journals, newsletters, and key periodicals. NewsEdge is a customizable "push" service of daily news, offering real-time coverage of local, national, and international stories. Used together, the three online services allow students to access the latest developments in the fields relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc their course. The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center is available with all Wadsworth textbooks for a nominal fee. To take a tour of the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, visit http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/wadsworth and use the following password: ovrc. About The Thomson Corporation and the Wadsworth Group The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2002 revenues of $7.8 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. (TSX:TOC; NYSE:TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning Distributed Learning means a method of instruction that relies primarily on indirect communication between students and teachers, including internet or other electronic-based delivery, teleconferencing or correspondence; (British Columbia, School Act, 2006). . Wadsworth is a leading provider of higher education textbooks, software, and Internet materials for the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences behavioral sciences, n.pl those sciences devoted to the study of human and animal behavior. , as well as mathematics, science, and statistics. It develops comprehensive learning solutions for instructors, students, and professionals that recognize the diversity of teaching and learning styles and take advantage of the full complement of print, multimedia, and online delivery. |
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