Cognite Brings the Library to the Classroom ... and Home
Follett Software has formally launched a tool for K-12 designed to provide a bridge between library resources, classroom instruction, and homework.
Dubbed Cognite, the online tool is an instructional content delivery system with hooks into Follett's Destiny Library Manager, allowing users to access library resources, including books and databases, as well as external resources that have been pre-filtered for use in K-12.
Cognite is also a collaborative learning environment, allowing teachers to communicate with each other and with students and organize internal and external digital resources. Students also have collaborative tools within Cognite, and parents can access the system to view students' planners, assignments, and grades and to communicate with teachers.
Specific features include:
- Access to Destiny Library Manager from any location to view resources previously available only within the library;
- Links to 60,000 external Web sites where students can access information (sites pre-screened by Follett);
- Tools for lesson plan development, grading, and assignment creation;
- Tools for aligning lessons to learning objectives; and
- An integrated messaging tool.
Follett said the Web-based tool has been in beta testing in six K-12 schools: Alki Middle School (Washington), Hoover Elementary School (Massachusetts), Oak Hammock K-8 School (Florida), Roosevelt Elementary School (Massachusetts), Skyview High School (Washington), and Veterans Memorial Middle School (Massachusetts).
Cognite was released publicly at last week's ISTE 2010 conference. Further information is available here.