Pearson Digital Learning Partners With Ball State University to Create Free Educational Web Site Featuring ``Garfield the Cat''

Pearson Digital Learning Partners With Ball State University to Create Free Educational Web Site Featuring ``Garfield the Cat''

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona

Parents, Teachers and Students Now Have Free Access to KnowledgeBox Content Plus Other Educational Activities, Lessons and Instruction

Pearson Digital Learning (PDL), a leader in proven, comprehensive technologies for preK-12 education, has teamed up with Ball State University and Paws Inc., the creative group behind the Garfield the Cat comic strip, to create a free, interactive online learning environment. Called "Professor Garfield", http://www.professorgarfield.org, the Web site features educationally sound games and activities, including a selection of standards-based lessons and material from PDL's KnowledgeBox(R) digital learning system.

"The KnowledgeBox system is best of breed," said Bob Levy, director of educational and online initiatives at Paws Inc. "We reviewed content from a variety of companies, and there was simply no comparison. KnowledgeBox is the prime example of education technology at its best -- sound, well designed, standards-based content that is brought to life through cutting edge multimedia. It totally supports our vision for an accessible, educational Web site that makes learning as fun as playing the most current games."

Designed as a resource for educators and a learning portal for children in kindergarten through grade eight, the Professor Garfield Web site combines the educational expertise of Ball State, one of the world's preeminent educators of classroom teachers and the alma mater of Garfield creator Jim Davis, with the pop culture savvy and creativity of Paws Inc., the creative group that supports Garfield licensing. The goal of Professor Garfield is to inspire, ignite and tickle the imaginations and minds of youngsters.

"When we saw what the educators from Ball State had in mind, we knew some of the KnowledgeBox material would be a perfect fit. They know that while education is a serious matter, the learning process itself can be fun and exciting," said Bob Roliardi, president of Pearson Digital Learning. "Their selection of KnowledgeBox is clear validation of the deep educational value we strive to provide to the market through cutting edge digital media. Plus, it's a great opportunity to expose educators to a bit of what the KnowledgeBox system has to offer."

Available for home and classroom use, the Professor Garfield site starts at the door of Professor Garfield's Laboratory, a space-age classroom with portals to interactive educational material focused on mathematics, social studies, art, science and health, and reading. Learners are guided through a myriad of learning experiences including: phonetics fun on "Orson's Farm"; wrestling mania in the "Reading Ring"; art activities with the "Art-Bot"; a multi-player trivia contest in "G-Cubed"; academic and life skills development in "ScholarShop"; and a self-esteem boost in "SparkTop." A "Teachers' Lounge" contains downloadable resource materials, lesson plans and links to other outstanding Internet-based educational sites.

The selection of KnowledgeBox content is in the site's "KB Kids" section and consists of math, social studies and language arts games designed for grades K-6. Using digital media that engages and challenges today's media sophisticated learner, KnowledgeBox supports a wide range of teaching and learning styles.

The http://www.professorgarfield.org site is the brainchild of Ball State and Paws Inc., with significant support and content contributed by PDL; the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation; the National Institutes of Health; Scholarship America; USA Funds, Sallie Mae; Columbia University Teacher's College; Ball State's Business Fellows program, made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.; and Grammy-award winning children's composer, Red Grammer.

About Paws Inc.

Located near Albany, Ind., Paws Inc. was founded in 1981 by cartoonist Jim Davis to handle the creative end of the Garfield licensing business. Today, Paws is the sole owner of all copyrights and trademarks for the Garfield property and controls not only the creative angle of the "fat cat's" flourishing empire, but also the licensing, marketing, and brand management of Garfield and the Garfield characters.

In 2004, Paws helped establish the Professor Garfield Foundation, a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to reach students with entertainment and education.

About Ball State University

Ball State University, located in Muncie, Ind., is the third-largest public university in Indiana, with more than 18,000 students. Originally a private teacher training school when it opened in 1899, Ball State became a university in 1965. Ball State, with its 1,035-acre campus, has many nationally ranked programs and highly touted immersion-learning experiences.

Business Fellows, funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc., gives Ball State students the opportunity to turn academic knowledge into business solutions through intense, semester-long applied work experiences that will benefit an Indiana business, industry or organization.

About Pearson Digital Learning

Working side by side with educators for over 40 years, Pearson Digital Learning is the leader in proven, comprehensive technologies for preK-12 education. Our mission is to provide innovative, research-based digital learning solutions that elevate the art and science of teaching, and inspire children to reach their greatest potential. Reaching more than 20 million students annually, our products include: the SuccessMaker(R) Enterprise and NovaNET(R) educational courseware; and the KnowledgeBox(R) digital learning system. Pearson Digital Learning is also the exclusive distributor for the Waterford Early Reading Program(TM) and Waterford Early Math & Science(TM), adaptive computer-based instruction developed by the Waterford Institute.

Pearson Digital Learning is part of Pearson Education, the world's leading integrated education company, which in turn is part of Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the international media company. More information can be found at: http://www.PearsonDigital.com.


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