DVD Meets Web Learning
The Ohana Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to introducing new technologies into the nation's classrooms. Its first series of interactive DVD titles for K-12, The Ohana Collection, was developed in conjunction with AGC/United Learning, and integrates DVD and Web technology. The cost-effective, non-PC-based teaching materials are ideally suited for standards-based and project-oriented learning. Initially, 18 titles are being released, including Physical Geography, You and the Food Web, and Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile. The collection will continue to expand, with 125 titles soon to follow.
The Ohana-developed DVD format divides an assortment of video, audio, text and graphic information into chapters, allowing teachers to easily access relevant information for a specific lesson. In addition, the Ohana format incorporates a built-in Web browser, which provides access to related lesson plans, projects, vocabulary and related Internet links, as well as national standards correlations. The collection d'es not require a PC, and multiple audio tracking makes it possible to allow multiple languages on the same disc. Ohana will screen and post lesson plans and classroom projects on its own Web site, and will also provide teacher training on the new technology. In addition, Ohana will make the e-Whiz! interactive DVD player available at no charge to schools that purchase 10 or more discs. Ohana Foundation, Honolulu, HI, (808) 524-0770, www.ohanalearning.org.