netTrekker added to growing list of SMART accredited titles
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- February 15, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that the popular netTrekker suite of award-winning education search products from Thinkronize Inc. has been added to its software accreditation program at the Ready level. The SMART Software Accreditation Program recognizes multimedia content and software applications based on their level of compatibility with SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards and Notebook™ collaborative learning software. At the Ready level, SMART reviews and approves the use of netTrekker with SMART products. Accreditation of Thinkronize at the Ready level will promote teacher and student use of these two complementary K-12 learning products.
netTrekker is a premier classroom-learning tool that currently provides more than 9.3 million students and teachers with a safe, efficient way to find and use high-quality online resources. The tool helps students with school research projects by directing them to educator-approved websites that are aligned with state standards. When students fail to grasp a concept in an exam, they can use netTrekker to find supporting curriculum content. Students who struggle with the English language have access to online resources in netTrekker including a dictionary or translation hot key and text-to-speech functions. When used with a SMART Board interactive whiteboard or Sympodium™ interactive pen display, teachers and students can maximize the collaborative learning benefits of netTrekker. SMART products extend the use of netTrekker in teacher-directed and student-group learning environments.
“Students benefit when technology companies work together to deliver innovative solutions that enhance learning,” says Christine Willig, president of Thinkronize. “That’s why we’re proud of our new relationship with SMART. It brings together high-quality digital content through a state-of-the-art delivery system, a very powerful combination for the classroom.”
“As the number of classrooms using SMART products worldwide continues to grow, so does the demand for complementary interactive content,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “Content companies like netTrekker recognize the value of working with SMART because the accreditation program directs teachers and students to a variety of quality resources that are essential for engaging students in interactive learning.”
About the SMART Software Accreditation Program
The SMART Software Accreditation Program offers educators a wealth of multimedia content and software resources to enhance instruction in the classroom. SMART has accredited 17 companies representing more than 40 titles in subject areas including art and design, English, health, language arts, foreign languages, music, mathematics, science, social studies, history, technology and cross-curricular.
The SMART Software Accreditation Program has three accreditation levels designated as Ready, Enabled and Select. The accreditation designation indicates the level to which the content or software has been enhanced or customized for use on SMART Board interactive whiteboards and Notebook collaborative learning software. The Ready level is the basic accreditation level for an application or content product, indicating that SMART Technologies Inc. has approved the software title for use with SMART products. At the Enabled level, products meet the requirements of the Ready level and are integrated with SMART Board Tools. The integration provides more interactivity because it takes advantage of a digital ink feature called Ink Aware. At the Select level, products meet the requirements of the Enabled level and are specifically designed for use in Notebook software. More information on the SMART Software Accreditation Program is available at www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/SAP/.
About Thinkronize
Thinkronize, an Internet developer of K-12 educational products, was founded in 1999 by Robert Reinders, and grew out of a passion for and commitment to enhancing teaching and learning with the Internet and standards-based online resources. The company launched its flagship product, netTrekker classic, in October 2000 and has since expanded the product line to include netTrekker d.i., designed for use in schools to help educators meet individual students' learning needs, and netTrekker home, available for purchase by parents whose district or school has not yet purchased a netTrekker subscription. Peers, educators, and parents have honored Thinkronize and the netTrekker product suite 18 times for their contribution to education. Most recently, netTrekker home was awarded The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval, earning a position among an elite group of products recommended to parents by TNPC. In addition, Thinkronize was also named to the 2006 Inc. 500 List as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. The company currently serves nearly 9.3 million students in 49 states, including adoptions by key districts and states nationwide. For more information visit www.thinkronize.com or phone 877-517-1125.
