SMART Ideas 4.1 Concept-Mapping Software Now Available for Windows and Macintosh in English and French
Visual learning tool improves students’ comprehension of complex ideas
Calgary, AB – April 22, 2004 – SMART Technologies Inc. announces the release of SMART Ideas® 4.1 concept-mapping software in English and French for the Microsoft® Windows® operating system and Mac OS X, enabling teachers and students to create colorful, multilevel concept maps in their preferred platform and language. SMART Ideas software is the only concept-mapping software that combines cross-platform compatibility with the ability to switch easily between English and French.
SMART Ideas software enables students to quickly capture and organize ideas in multilevel concept maps during brainstorming sessions and class discussions. Students can easily arrange and link visuals that map simple or complex sequences of ideas. Completed maps can be exported to HTML, Appleworks and Microsoft Word, so students can share their diagrams with others or explore further during independent study. SMART Ideas software also features Cliplets, unique interactive clip-art images that students can manipulate directly to learn concepts such as telling time, measuring angles and calculating probability. For example, students can rotate the hands on the image of a clock to learn how to tell time and then use the accompanying digital clock to check their answers.
“Concept mapping is becoming increasingly popular as a visual learning technique that engages students and accommodates different learning styles,” says Nancy Knowlton, president and co-CEO of SMART Technologies Inc. “SMART Ideas 4.1 software provides cross-platform compatibility and multiple languages so teachers and students can easily incorporate concept mapping into their learning environment.”
“Our faculty views the capability to create multilevel diagrams in SMART Ideas software to be an invaluable tool for instruction and demonstration,” says Fran Smith, Collateral Faculty – Technology School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. “In addition, SMART Ideas software offers a sophisticated set of clip-art images and Cliplets that enable the creation of valuable visual diagrams for students with all types of learning approaches.”
“SMART Ideas software has enabled me to use my SMART Board interactive whiteboard in a whole new way,” says Lisa Berg, fifth grade teacher, Bolivar Intermediate School in Bolivar, MO. “I use SMART Ideas software when my class brainstorms ideas around discussion topics in science, communication arts, math or social studies. It’s easy to use for me and, more importantly, my students. Layering the concept maps allows more in-depth studies, and the Cliplets are such great teaching tools.”
About SMART Ideas Concept-Mapping Software
SMART Ideas software enables students to create multilevel concept maps using colorful symbols, arrows and clip art to reinforce concepts from all subjects, including science, literature and history. An unlimited number of levels can be added to any symbol in the map, along with links to video files, audio clips, documents, photos, presentations and Web pages. SMART Ideas software includes an extensive clip-art gallery and a multilanguage template library that offers more than 2,000 curriculum-based images as well as a collection of built-in map templates to help teachers save time and add visual interest to their lessons.
SMART Ideas software can be used on desktop computers, SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards and Sympodium™ interactive lecterns. Sample lesson activities are available for free download at http://edcompass.smarttech.com/en/learning/activities/ideas.aspx.
Pricing and Availability
SMART Ideas 4.1 concept-mapping software is available at a suggested list price of US$199 for an individual license. Volume discounts are available. Not-for-profit educational institutions and teachers may purchase the software for US$59 for an individual license or US$29 per copy for an order of 100 copies or more. A school license provides unlimited copies for individual K–12 schools and is available for US$2,499. Dealer prices may vary.
A copy of SMART Ideas software is included with every SMART Board interactive whiteboard and Sympodium interactive lectern. Educators who already have SMART Board or Sympodium products may download the software free of charge from www.smarttech.com/support/software/index.asp#ideas.
SMART Ideas 4.1 software is now available direct from the SMART website or from authorized resellers of SMART products. For a free 30-day evaluation of SMART Ideas software, additional information, specifications or a list of authorized resellers, visit www.smarttech.com/smartideas or call 1.888.42.SMART.
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For more information, please contact:
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
300, 1207 - 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
Phone +1.403.802.3337 Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.