SMART donates collaborative learning technology to Intel® Teach program
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- September 14, 2006 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces it will donate more than US$350,000 in interactive classroom technology in its continuing support of the Intel® Teach program. SMART awards products on an ongoing basis to education institutions participating in the program in five countries – the United States, Australia, Germany, Brazil and India. Intel Teach is a free professional development program for K–12 in-service and pre-service educators. Participants learn from other educators how, when and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into the curriculum. To date, over three million teachers in 35 countries have successfully completed the program.
“Hundreds of thousands of educators around the world recognize the tremendous pedagogical value the SMART Board interactive whiteboard brings to the classroom,” says Nancy Knowlton, president and co-CEO of SMART. “Training teachers on how to effectively use their interactive whiteboard in the classroom is a key part of ensuring students get the most from their learning.”
“SMART continues to demonstrate leadership and dedication to teachers and students,” says Stephen Andrews, U.S. program manager for Intel Teach. “Intel Teach trainers in the United States use SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards during the professional development course to enhance the training experience and improve communication and participation. These tools provide opportunities for teachers and students to explore the latest collaborative environments for the classroom.”
About the Intel Teach program
Intel Teach is a worldwide effort to help both experienced teachers and pre-service teachers integrate technology into instruction and enhance student learning. Participating teachers receive extensive training and resources to promote effective technology use in the classroom. In addition, they are instructed on how best to create assessment tools and align lessons with education learning goals and standards. The program incorporates the use of the Internet, webpage design and student projects.
For more information on the Intel Teach program, visit http://www97.intel.com/education/teach/us_program.htm
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and global education market segment leader in user-friendly interactive whiteboards and group collaboration tools. The award-winning family of SMART Board interactive whiteboards is the most widely installed interactive whiteboard in the world because of its unsurpassed product quality, versatility and ease of use. School districts across the United States have standardized on SMART products, including New York City Board of Education, Atlanta Department of Education, Vermont Institute for Science, Math & Technology, and San Diego City Schools. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is used to teach over 11 million students in 330,000 classrooms in more than 100 countries around the world.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 800 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ottawa, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide.