Cisco Grant To Assist Math Education Development
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The MIND Research Institute, a non-profit education research and publishing organization, said this week that it's received a $500,000 cash grant from the Cisco Foundation--this on top of a previously awarded grant of about $500,000 in equipment, bringing the total donation to $1 million. The funds will be used to develop MIND's elementary and middle school math programs and make them available over the Internet.
The MIND Research Institute is the developer of the ST Math series of technology-based educational software, which until recently targeted only elementary-level math. In October the company expanded that line to include an e-learning tool for middle- and high-school students called ST Math: Algebra Readiness Supplemental, which focuses on students in grades 6 and higher in need of math intervention. The ST Math software uses game-based instruction to lead students through math concepts aligned with individual state standards and to develop problem-solving skills.
"The MIND Research Institute is delivering a program that has a clear and replicable impact on the math and problem-solving skills of children," said Michael Yutrzenka, executive director of the Cisco Foundation, in a statement released yesterday. "We believe Cisco's recent donation will help MIND Research further expand this program and help arm future generations with the basic math and problem solving skills required to compete in a global economy in the 21st century."
Through the new grant, MIND will expand its math education tools beyond CD-ROM to develop them on a fully Web-deliverable platform and will also integrate collaborative technologies into the tools, including message boards, video guides, and professional development materials.
A limited beta release of the new software is expected to be available for the 2008/2009 school year, with a full rollout planned for the 2009/2010 school year.
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About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.