Classroom Connect And The Franklin Institute Form Partnership To Bring Wonders Of Science And Technology To K-12 Classrooms Nationwide
BRISBANE, CA – Classroom Connect, Inc. and The Franklin Institute
today announced that they have formed a content partnership that will enhance
Classroom Connect’s suite of online classroom learning resources with content
from The Franklin Institute Online’s science and technology collections.
As part of the agreement, Classroom Connect and The Franklin Institute will
co-develop student-focused learning resources that highlight TFI Online’s science
and technology collections and broaden their access to K-12 schools nationwide.
These learning resources will be made available to educators and their students
through Classroom Connect’s suite of subscription-based classroom learning resources
at http://www.classroom.com. In addition, Classroom Connect will link from its
searchable, multimedia Library to various resources from TFI Online’s digital
collections of photographs, audio and video files, as well as Web sites.
Examples of the classroom learning resources being developed by Classroom Connect
and The Franklin Institute Online include:
- Spotlight on Technology: Achieving Flight
- Spotlight on Technology: Photography
- Connected Lesson: Benjamin Franklin and the Scientific Method
"The Franklin Institute’s focus on historically important science and technology
information complements Classroom Connect’s mission to provide educators with
the highest quality educational content available, " said Judith Hamilton,
president and CEO of Classroom Connect. "We are proud to have this partnership
with TFI Online and know our customers will benefit from this and other partnerships
we have with leading museums and institutions nationwide."
"Both The Franklin Institute and Classroom Connect have been among the
first to explore ways to bring online resources into the K-12 classroom. This
was an important consideration in deciding to work together," said Karen
Elinich, director of educational technology programs for The Franklin Institute
Online. "We’re excited to have Classroom Connect as our online curriculum
partner to help continue TFI Online’s mission to promote public understanding
of science, as well as science education and achievement."
The Franklin Institute is the latest to join Classroom Connect’s partner list
of world-renowned museums and libraries. Other existing relationships include
those with the American Museum of Natural History and the Library of Congress.
About The Franklin Institute Online
The Franklin Institute Online is an initiative of The Franklin Institute Science
Museum, founded in 1824 in Philadelphia. Today, The Franklin Institute is recognized
for its innovative online science education programs and for developing museum-school
partnerships that have become national models for innovative teacher development
and hands-on science in the classroom. The Institute also promotes and perpetuates
the legacy of Benjamin Franklin through major awards honoring achievement in
science and in business leadership.
About Classroom Connect, Inc.
Classroom Connect, Inc., a business unit within Harcourt, Inc., is a leading
provider of professional learning and classroom learning resources that foster
successful use of the Internet in K-12 education. Headquartered in Brisbane,
CA, with offices in El Segundo, CA, Minneapolis, MN and Abilene, TX, Classroom
Connect has more than 170 employees. Its primary product brands include: Connected
University® (online professional development); Classroom Today (online classroom
curriculum); The Quest Channel (online adventure learning expeditions); Connected
Conferences (live, nationwide events); Connected Workshops (on-site seminars);
and Classroom Connect Newsletter (monthly Internet education journal). Its partners
include some of the nation’s most respected organizations, including the American
Museum of Natural History, the Library of Congress and NASA. For more information
about Classroom Connect, visit the company’s Web site at www.classroom.com.
