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Tabula Digita, Monsanto Fund and International Society for Technology in Education to Develop First Multiplayer, Interactive Science Video Game

Posted on: Friday, 29 August 2008, 09:00 CDT

To address the growing demand for up-to-date curriculum materials that stimulate student interest in learning science, the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, has partnered with leading K-12 educational video game developer Tabula Digita and the premier membership association for educational technology, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to create an immersive video game that teaches standards-based, fundamental science concepts.

Under the partnership, Tabula Digita will develop and market the software to educators and consumers globally, using its expertise gained in developing the award-winning DimensionM(TM) algebra and pre-algebra video games. ISTE will provide content-rich curriculum for the Web-based, interactive science games and disseminate the game to its worldwide network of educators. The highlight of the new solution will be a multiplayer component that will allow students to safely compete against one another or form teams and compete and collaborate with students in local communities or around the globe. With a target release at ISTE's annual meeting, National Education Computing Conference, in Washington DC, June 28-July 2, 2009, this multi-million dollar, dual-phase venture supports Monsanto Fund's vision of engaging students in science through the creation of innovative science education programs.

"Three years ago, Monsanto Fund sponsored a study that showed that student interest in science drops at the fourth- and fifth-grade levels. Monsanto Fund is committed to increasing the appeal of science as a career path, and the video game medium has demonstrated itself to be an increasingly powerful way to engage today's digital generation," said Deborah Patterson, president of the Monsanto Fund. "We are excited to be a part of a bold new initiative that could fundamentally rewrite the rules of student engagement."

"The National Education Assessment of Education Progress 2005 test showed that by grade 12, only 18 percent of U.S. students scored at or above the proficient level in science," said Ntiedo Etuk, chief executive officer of Tabula Digita. "With this partnership, we now have the opportunity to use the video game platform to stem the tide of apathy toward science among elementary students and make it relevant, exciting, memorable and most importantly, useful."

Tabula Digita's previous immersive educational video game offerings are renowned for teaching, reinforcing and creating mastery of key algebraic concepts. The simulations embed pre-algebra and algebra lessons within cutting-edge, three-dimensional settings and have proven to drive student achievement and enhance student motivation.

"ISTE has long been a proponent of game-changing applications of technology in education," said Don Knezek, chief executive officer of ISTE. "With our expertise in curriculum and our reach into countries around the world also interested in facilitating science education in young people, we can't think of a more innovative approach and exciting venture to drive interest in and prepare our nearly 7 million fourth- and fifth-grade students for future success in this field. We are eager to get started."

The first phase, including product creation and testing, will begin immediately, followed by comprehensive market testing using input from school administrators, science educators, and students.

About Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. Incorporated in 1964, the Fund's primary objective is to improve the lives of people by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. The Monsanto Fund is focused on grant-making in four main areas: nutritional well-being through agriculture; science education, primarily on professional development for teachers; the environment, which includes conservation, protection of biodiversity, clean water and restoration of wildlife habitat; and improving the quality of life in communities where Monsanto employees live and work. For more information, visit www.monsantofund.org.

About Tabula Digita

Tabula Digita is an educational video game company focused on delivering innovative and effective educational games to students and institutions. Through its fusion of education and technology-based immersive learning systems, Tabula Digita successfully offers standards-based, high impact educational tools that engage middle and high school students in learning and applying Pre-Algebra and Algebra I concepts. For more information, please call 1-888-9-Tabula or 1-888-982-2852, or visit www.DimensionM.com

About International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy and leadership for innovation. ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 100,000 professionals worldwide. www.iste.org

Source: Business Wire

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