|
Press Release |
|||
|
Think.com Brings the Power of Oracle to the ClassroomOracle's Technology Enables Global Collaboration and Learning in Grades 4-12REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Nov. 8 / -- ( http://www.oracle.com/tellmemore/?1072135 ) Oracle Corp. (Nasdaq: ORCL - news), the world's largest enterprise software company, today announced the launch of the next generation of Think.com. Think.com is an international online community and collaborative learning environment for students and educators around the world.Oracle offers Think.com as a free, centrally hosted and managed service (with no advertising permitted) to primary and secondary schools in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, with a Spanish language version set to debut in Chile next spring. Designed as a protected Web destination accessible to a select community, Think.com provides students with a global forum for sharing ideas, creating personal Web pages and collaborating on group projects. Think.com version 2.0 provides teachers with an online self-study tutorial so they can quickly and easily incorporate this flexible tool into their curriculum. The new features of Think.com include an enhanced ``student- friendly'' interface, updated navigational abilities, increased functionality for managing user communities, and expanded teacher tools. ``We designed Think.com to put state-of-the-art Internet resources into the classroom at no cost to schools, while addressing parents' and educators' concerns about safety and exposure to Web content,'' said Lori K. Facey, vice president of Oracle's Education Initiatives. ``Think.com removes the complexity of managing technology so educators can dedicate more resources to helping students master their curriculum, as well as learn the team-building skills they will need to succeed in our technology- driven world.'' Recent Think.com Service Highlights Include: A new education partnership project with WebPlay, a non-profit education partnership project between Los Angeles and London, is using Think.com to link elementary school classrooms in both cities. WebPlay uses playwriting and theatre as the framework for developing literacy, technology and drama skills as well as cross-cultural exchange. The project began on the Think.com site in the spring of 2001. (www.webplay.org) San Francisco State University: As part of the California State University's teacher accreditation program, pre-service teachers are being trained on Think.com to learn how to integrate technology into elementary and secondary school curricula. Global expansion: In Spring 2002, Chile will become the first country in Latin America, and the third country in the world to offer Think.com to its students, with the first Spanish-language version of the site. ``The context in which we introduce students and teachers to technology is just as important as the content,'' said Sydney Thornbury of WebPlay. ``The beauty of Think.com is that students and teachers learn valuable IT skills in a context that promotes communication and collaboration.'' ``The simplicity of the system has helped teachers who were intimidated by technology increase their confidence and enjoy using it in the classroom. The opportunity for professional development through exchange with International colleagues is wonderful,'' said Thornbury. About Think.com Originally launched in 1999, Think.com serves more than 60,000 members (students and teachers), and the membership roll is expected to reach 250,000 by 2002. Each Think.com member has a personal Web page within the site, where they can create articles, upload images and host discussions within the Think.com community. Powered with the latest technology and on-screen help services, users can easily add text, audio, video, HTML and Java script to their personal pages. Accessible from a standard Web browser, student members can stay connected to their classrooms from home, school or the library. Teachers are using the two-year-old service for online classroom activities, team collaboration, and as a place to publish student projects and obtain homework help. In this highly interactive environment, students communicate with classmates and international members by sending e-mails, posting electronic sticky notes, participating in online forums, or joining special interest communities such as science, sports or book clubs. All forms of communication and activities are limited to members of the Think.com community. Students and teachers obtain accounts through their local schools. Oracle in the Community Think.com is part of Oracle's Education Initiatives, which seek to use its technology to positively impact learning from kindergarten through Ph.D. As a global technology leader, Oracle is committed to serving its communities around the world. Oracle uses its technology, resources and people to help create advancements in education, medical research, endangered animal protection, and environmental protection and community partnerships. In partnership with community leaders, Oracle's involvement is powering positive change worldwide. About Oracle Corporation Oracle is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle visit our website at www.oracle.com. Trademarks Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation SOURCE: Oracle Corporation OracleMobile 415/401-4000 jmorgan@tenthdimension.com top of page |
|||