SAN ANTONIO, July 1 /PRNewswire/ — Television star Eric Close teamed with
acclaimed author, illustrator and educator Peter H. Reynolds here Tuesday
(July 1) to lead an interactive investigation to demonstrate how technology,
such as Thinkfinity.org, can impact learning and excite children about
education.
Using the skills employed by his television persona, FBI agent Martin
Fitzgerald on the hit show “Without a Trace,” Close asked an audience of 300
teachers a series of questions to help uncover online resources that would
assist students in developing 21st century skills such as creativity,
problem-solving and critical thinking.
“As a father of two daughters, I see how they are drawn to and quickly
master technology,” said Close. “Technology, such as Thinkfinity.org, gives
teachers quick, easy access to tremendous resources that will keep their
students interested, and it’s all free.”
The session was one of several Verizon Foundation events at the National
Educational and Computing Conference designed to showcase the free resources
available to students, teachers and parents at Thinkfinity.org.
Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation’s comprehensive online portal to
more than 55,000 educational and literacy resources for teachers, parents and
students. Resources include standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans
and engaging interactive activities provided in partnership with many of the
nation’s leading educational and literacy organizations.
“Every day, teachers spend hours developing lesson plans to help pique the
interest of their students while developing the skills needed for the
workforce of tomorrow,” said Patrick Gaston, Verizon Foundation president.
“Through Thinkfinity.org, teachers can quickly find compelling, engaging,
interactive material, while also simplifying classroom preparation time.”
Thinkfinity.org offers elementary through high school teachers resources
across eight academic disciplines, from science to English to mathematics, to
improve student achievement.
“My mission is to inspire creativity and self-expression — and so I’m
continually exploring new ways to invite young people to the literacy party,”
said Reynolds, award-winning author of children’s books such as “The Dot,” and
“Ish.” “Technology has opened exciting new doors for classrooms to produce
digital film makers, animators, staff writers, and publishers — preparing
them to be the next-generation of technically literate citizens and employees,
he said.”
Since the launch of Thinkfinity.org in March 2007, the Verizon Foundation
has committed more than $32 million nationally to update and expand
Thinkfinity.org and provide training to teachers.
In addition to providing standards-based resources from the nation’s
leading educational and literacy organizations, Thinkfinity.org also offers a
comprehensive professional development program that allows teachers to sign up
for free online or face-to-face training to learn how to make the most of
Thinkfinity.org tools.
Content for Thinkfinity.org is provided through a partnership between the
Verizon Foundation and 11 of the nation’s leading organizations in the fields
of education and literacy: the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, International Reading Association, The John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts, National Center for Family Literacy, National Council on
Economic Education, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Council of
Teachers of English, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National
Geographic Society, ProLiteracy Worldwide and the Smithsonian National Museum
of American History.
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications,
supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature
program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic
violence. In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants
to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also
matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting
in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of
the nation’s largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and
retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since
Verizon’s inception in 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit
www.verizon.com/foundation.
About Verizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a
leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication
innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving
more than 67 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations
include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business
solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings
customers the benefits of converged communications, information and
entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A
Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000
as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated
operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit
www.verizon.com.
VERIZON’S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches
and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other
information are available at Verizon’s News Center on the World Wide Web at
www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News
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releases.
SOURCE Verizon