Democrasoft, Inc., creator of the award-winning online discussion platform, Collaborize Classroom, and TregoED, creator of the award-winning SCAN critical thinking tools, today announced that they are joining forces to advance K12 education through the development and dissemination of critical thinking and online discussion technology.
New national learning standards, known as the Common Core State Standards, require that students develop critical thinking and communication skills in order to be ready for both college and for future careers. Through the partnership announced today, Democrasoft and TregoED will provide free educator resources, free professional development for teachers, and free online topic-based lessons focused on teaching higher-level thinking skills, respect for different points-of-view, and effective in-person and online conversation skills.
“We are enthusiastic about the formation of a strategic alliance with TregoED,” said Richard Lang, CEO of Democrasoft and co-creator of Collaborize Classroom. “TregoED‘s SCAN critical thinking tools fit hand-in-glove with our online collaborative education platform. Teachers will now be able to launch topic-based discussions that specifically prepare students for SCAN lessons, as well as follow-on topics that solidify and expand upon what they learn during the SCAN activity.”
According to Kathryn Blackburn, Executive Director of TregoED, “We are excited about the synergy our partnership will create for students. Using Collaborize Classroom to front load information and reinforce SCAN activities with writing activities will increase the rigor and relevance of the lessons, as well as help students learn better decision-making skills.“
To access the latest free SCAN topics, visit: http://library.collaborizeclassroom.com/#!/profile/TregoED.
Collaborize Classroom and TregoED announced that they will both be at the Texas Computer Education Association 2012 Conference in Austin, Texas from February 6th through February 10th. TCEA has over 9,000 educators, technology coordinators and education industry insiders attending each year.
Collaborize Classroom will be in the TCEA exhibit hall at booth #2568 and will host free blended learning professional development sessions in room M8 (second floor). Featured presenters include: Catlin Tucker (Award-winning High School English Teacher and Author), Colt Briner (Co-Creator of Collaborize Classroom), and Sandra Wozniak (Retired Teacher, Curriculum Specialist with TregoED), among others. Find the full schedule here: http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/blog/professional-development-at-tcea/.
