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Revolutionary Reading Game, ItzaBitza, Tapped by COMPUTER EXPLORERS to be Incorporated Into International Curriculum

Posted on: Friday, 30 January 2009, 14:00 CST

HOUSTON, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- COMPUTER EXPLORERS, a company dedicated to technology and learning, today introduced Sabi, Inc.'s educational computer game, ItzaBitza (http://www.itzabitza.com), as part of the company's newest curriculum. ItzaBitza is designed to nurture creativity, inspire play and encourage young children learning to read.

"ItzaBitza has restored our faith in children's educational software!" said Cyndee Perkins, Director of Curriculum and Program Development for COMPUTER EXPLORERS. "We have been frustrated over the past few years by the lack of age and developmentally-appropriate quality software available for young children, but ItzaBitza is right on target!"

ItzaBitza is the first in a series of powerful new experiences from Sabi that focus on creativity games and will be a welcome addition to the tools COMPUTER EXPLORERS teachers and parents use to support young readers. What makes this computer game unique is Sabi's "Living Ink" (http://www.sabigames.com/LivingInk.aspx) technology, a drawing recognition technology, evolved from work started within Microsoft Research by the Sabi team members. "Living Link" empowers young readers to turn their drawings into interactive art, while also enabling them to improve their reading comprehension skills. ItzaBitza facilitates practice for children in making connections between what they read and what they draw while staying motivated in learning. The game, launched in November 2008 for PC only, is available for online download and purchase at http://www.ItzaBitza.com.

"We are thrilled that COMPUTER EXPLORERS will offer ItzaBitza as part of its upcoming educational programs," said Margaret Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Sabi, Inc. "Sabi is committed to making reading and learning a fun and exciting activity for children. Combining the power of our game with the strength of the COMPUTER EXPLORERS alliance ensures that thousands of children will have a fun new reason to learn to read."

Please visit Sabi's Virtual Press Room (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/ipventures/default.mspx) to learn more about Microsoft's sponsorship of ItzaBitza, view a game demo, and download screenshots. People are also encouraged to visit http://www.ItzaBitza.com to download a free trial, purchase the game, and learn more about the importance of reading and creativity in our children's lives.

"ItzaBitza's innovative drawing recognition feature is an exciting feature and piques children's interest and enhances their learning," said Perkins. "Our teachers are looking forward to using this software in classes throughout the US and around the world."

COMPUTER EXPLORERS offers a range of technology education programs to children, teens, and adults through pre-schools, childcare centers, public and private schools, and recreation centers worldwide. Research shows the more people use information, the better they retain it. COMPUTER EXPLORERS emphasizes classroom and life lessons, while teaching children software and technology skills. COMPUTER EXPLORERS K-12 programs reinforce the core curriculum of public and private schools and meet or exceed National Educational Technology Standards. Students experiment with computers, robots, digital microscopes, and even design videogames.

About COMPUTER EXPLORERS

In 1984, COMPUTER EXPLORERS was founded by educators to give all children access to quality technology education. Today, COMPUTER EXPLORERS is one of the fastest growing children's educational franchises in the United States, reaching more than 25,000 children per week at nearly 1,000 locations across the United States and internationally. Based in Houston, COMPUTER EXPLORERS is part of the International Center for Entrepreneurial Development, Inc., one of the world's largest international alliances of printing, communications, and education franchises. For more information, please visit http://www.computerexplorers.com.

About Sabi, Inc.

Sabi, Inc. was founded in 2008 to provide powerful new gaming experiences that focus on creativity and interactive learning. Future games from Sabi will continue to focus on the player's creative expression through the use of ground-breaking technology. For more information on the ItzaBitza, visit http://www.ItzaBitza.com. For more information on the company, visit http://www.sabigames.com.

SOURCE Sabi, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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