CURRIKI ANNOUNCES NEW ONLINE PROJECT-BASED GEOMETRY COURSE AVAILABLE FREE TO TEACHERS & STUDENTS

Wed, Apr 17, 2013 15:30 CET

AT&T Funds Interactive Course to Capture Attention of Digital Age Students, Make Learning Fun

CUPERTINO, Calif., April 17, 2013 — Curriki, the leading K-12 global community for creating, sharing, and finding open learning resources, today announced a free Geometry course that leverages the popular Project Based Learning (PBL) “active” approach and is aligned to Common Core State Standards. The course will be available online and is designed to meet the needs of students born in a global, interactive, digitally-connected world through the use of real-world examples, engaging projects, interactive technologies, videos and targeted feedback. Developed with funding from AT&T, the Curriki Geometry course is modular so can be used as a supplement, as the foundation for students’ Geometry 1 curriculum, in an after-school program, or in a homeschool environment.

“When was the last time you had to force a kid to put down a text book?” asks Scott McNealy, Curriki board member and chairman of Wayin. “Never! On the other hand, give them a computer and a dynamic learning platform, and they never want to stop. We have to support future generations in the best ways possible given the challenges they will face.”

Project Based Learning is a proven motivator and gives students a deeper understanding of the concepts and standards at the heart of a project. It teaches both doing, as well as learning, and gives students real-world opportunities to think analytically, formulate ideas, and solve increasingly complex problems. For example, geometry students may be asked to create architectural designs for an apartment or house, build models based on their designs, create quilting patterns that involves circular, triangular and other shaped objects, or design a school floor plan that maximizes open space and natural light.

“Project Based Learning points us toward the future of education,” said Thom Markham, Ph.D., of Consulting & Coaching Worldwide, and designer of the course. “It’s a proven method for integrating the 21st century skills of communication and teamwork into the delivery of core subjects. Taking it online is the next step in offering this student-friendly approach to learning to a wider teacher audience.”

The Geometry units will be designed with carefully selected Curriki instructional materials, interactives, videos and other materials that students will explore and use as they solve the series of challenges in each unit.

The course will be structured based on the six Common Core High School Geometry topics, organized in six units including: (1) Congruence; (2) Similarity, Right Triangles, & Trigonometry; (3) Circles; (4) Expressing Geometric Properties with Equations; (5) Geometric Measurement & Dimension; and (6) Modeling with Geometry. The Common Core Math Practice Standards will be woven through each unit, with projects and explorations designed to develop students’ mathematical “habits of mind,” problem-solving and reasoning skills, and their abilities to use mathematical models and technology tools appropriately and strategically as they learn.

“Students are going to love geometry after taking this course!” said Kim Jones, Curriki CEO. “So many students hate math because it’s difficult to make a real-life connection between math and their everyday lives. By adopting a Project Based Learning approach, we show students that geometry is not only theoretical, but practical and necessary. Students will move beyond a basic understanding of concepts to enjoyment of discovery.”

“Curriki’s new geometry course is not only exciting because it brings project-based learning to students through an online medium, but because the subject matter being taught in this innovative way – geometry – is critical for all students to excel,” said Beth Adcock Shiroishi, Vice President of Sustainability and Philanthropy, AT&T, Services Inc. “Having a real-world understanding of STEM is not only important for tech jobs, but across all industries in our digital, global world.”

The $250,000 contribution to support the Curriki Geometry course is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s $350 million commitment to education. Launched in 2008, AT&T Aspire is one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to address high school success and workforce readiness.

The online Curriki Geometry course will be available in September 2013. To participate in the beta launch, sign up today http://link.curriki.org/PBL-Geometry-Signup and we’ll notify participants when the course is available.

Cindee Mock, Curriki, 650.255.2975 or cmock@curriki.org

About Curriki

A non-profit organization, Curriki is the leading K-12 global community for teachers, students and parents to create, share, and find open learning resources that improve teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. A Computerworld Honors Laureate for 2012, Curriki was selected as the 21stCentury Achievement Award winner for Digital Access. With more than 340,000 members and 46,000+ learning assets, Curriki reaches more than 8 million users worldwide. Join today www.curriki.org.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

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