Pearson Takes the "Bored" Out of Whiteboard at the National Council for the Social Studies Conference

Interactive Classroom Technology to Help Boost Career- and College-Readiness

Denver, CO, November 9, 2010 – At the: National Council for the Social Studies’ (NCSS) annual meeting in Denver this week, the education services and technology company Pearson is presenting its latest social studies learning innovations. To assist educators from around the United States, Pearson is sharing information on how best to engage students in social studies instruction and offering professional development opportunities.

On November 11, Pearson will host a pre-conference workshop, “Bored or Whiteboard?” to help teachers learn best practices for digital whiteboard usage in the classroom. The session, taking place in room 412 of Denver’s Colorado Convention Center from 2-5 p.m., will focus on the importance of writing lesson plans that take advantage of whiteboards to engage students and measure outcomes. Hands-on lessons from Pearson’s free: Symbols of America program will enable teachers to familiarize themselves with the basics of the interactive whiteboard and provide strategies for engaging today’s digital learners.

The conference continues with a Friday-night reception, sponsored by Pearson, to recognize outstanding classroom teachers for effectively educating America’s young citizens.

During the three-day conference, educators can learn more about Pearson’s: social studies solutions through hands-on demonstrations and exhibits at booth 309-313. Pearson’s 2010 NCSS presentations emphasize the company’s deep commitment to career- and college-readiness. Details on the presentations follow:

Digital exhibitions of Pearson’s myWorld Geography and a preview of myWorldHistory,: middle grades social studies curriculums that set the stage for active and engaging learning by integrating stories from around the globe into the print and digital standards-aligned material.
Demonstrations of Colonial Williamsburg’s The Idea of America program, a fully digital high school curriculum.The Idea of America focuses on the principles of American citizenship with 65 individual case studies of the nation’s most important historical events, the perspectives of contemporary historians, and primary source documents of enduring significance.
Interactive examples of Pearson’s free Symbols of America whiteboard activities for the elementary classroom. Symbols of America offers an Essential Question-led exploration of key cultural icons representing the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and can be shared on any digital whiteboard, LCD projector, or computer.
Presentations on global collaborations through TakingITGlobal, an online community where students and teachers can access information and work together in their local and international communities. Pearson provides links to TakingITGlobal in the company’s digital learning materials, as appropriate, to offer opportunities for students to create content, share content globally, and grow into active citizens.
Highlights from Pearson’s Prentice Hall United States History and Prentice Hall World History programs that show teachers best practices for connecting today’s students with history instruction. By tracking and exploring key issues in history across time and place, students can see how these same issues are still being dealt with in society today.
Discussions on how the Pearson Foundation extends Pearson’s commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe.

Pearson’s second NCSS myWorld 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for November 13 at Denver’s Cheesman Park, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Proceeds from the 5K run/walk will benefit Adams County Indian Education Program of Colorado, dedicated to closing the achievement gap for American Indian and Alaska Native students. NCSS attendees can visit: http://www.runraceregister.com/regliveCB.aspx?eventyear_id=101 to register.

In combination with the NCSS conference, Pearson also is sponsoring the National Social Studies Supervisors Association (NSSSA) breakfast and reception on November 11. NSSSA promotes the common interest of social studies supervisors and leaders in instruction, curriculum, research, teacher training, and social action.

About Pearson

Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education services, technology and school solutions, provides innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. Pearson’s other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information about Pearson, go to: http://www.pearsoned.com.