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FREE Online Reading Program Helps Teachers with Classroom Technology, Motivates Student Readers Over 800,000 quizzes were completed during Book Adventure's first year? April 12, 2000 - While teachers and librarians have more computers available for classroom use than ever before, many are still stymied by how to use the technology and how to find quality educational online content. A recent survey by the National Center for Education Statistics found 79 percent of teachers don't get enough help using technology in the classroom. But teachers and librarians from every state in the nation have discovered a new tool for using technology - Book AdventureÔ a free, online reading incentive program that has motivated thousands of children nationwide to read. Book Adventure has met with remarkable success nationally since its launch last year by offering easy-to-use interactive technology to engage students in reading at school and at home. Today more than 210,000 teachers, parents and children have registered to take advantage of the program created by the Sylvan Learning Foundation - and the number of new users is growing by more than 20,000 each month. "It's unbelievable that this would be free on the Internet," said Beth Smythe, library aide at Channahon Middle School in Channahon, Ill., where about 250 fifth and sixth grade students are actively participating in Book Adventure. "Students love it - especially since it involves computers." In addition to tapping into kids' love of computers, Book Adventure provides a much-needed confidence-booster in many young readers, according to Barbara Kloven, a library media specialist from Utica, NY. "If students are successful at answering questions - even if it's an easier book than their grade level - it provides positive feedback for them," said Kloven. "It makes them excited to go pick up the next book." Here's how the program works: Children can log on to www.bookadventure.org anywhere -- at school, at home, or at the library - at any time. With the help of the program's mascots, Rex Reader and Bailey Bookmark, children (K-8) create personalized book lists from over 4,000 recommended titles, take multiple-choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn prizes for their reading success. Incentives include activities that can be printed from the Web site or, with parental consent, prizes from sponsors including Barnes & Noble.com, Lycos, Inc. and Houghton Mifflin. Book Adventure eliminates administrative hassles by providing built-in management tools that allow teachers to track and measure students' independent reading progress. The program generates individual and class reports that allow parents and teachers to gauge children's understanding and share in their accomplishments. "We are thrilled that so many teachers and parents are taking advantage of this valuable resource to encourage children to read," said Kelly Hodge-Williams, executive director of the Book Adventure Foundation. "Reluctant readers and avid readers alike are engaged and challenged by the program. In fact, kids have completed more than 800,000 comprehension quizzes on the Book Adventure Web site." Soon, teachers and parents will have access to even more benefits when Book Adventure launches its new Parent and Teacher Resource Sections in the Summer of 2000. Book Adventure is working with the nation's leading literacy and education organizations including International Reading Association and Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. to provide parents and teachers with credible and valuable educational resources for use at home or at school. Several of the nation's leading literacy and educational organizations are providing guidance for the Book Adventure initiative. The program's Educational Advisory Committee includes the International Reading Association, Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., National Center for Family Literacy, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Catholic Educational Association, National Alliance of Black School Educators, DC Public Library System and Baltimore Reads, Inc. Click here if you would like to order a free Book Adventure School Starter Kit. The tip-oriented kit includes a comprehensive user guide complete with simple instructions, an activity guide, a book list, in-class posters and a wall chart. |
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