Press Release

Although one-to-one computing implementations have been around at least 20 years, results have been mixed in U.S. classrooms. This is due, in part, to a lack of curriculum programs that exploit the strengths of one-to-one computing, and to professional development that has been driven more by the technology than by instruction. To help schools realize the vision of one-to-one computing, Time To Know today announces the U.S. launch of its complete, interactive curriculum system designed specifically for today’s one-to-one computing classrooms.

Founded five years ago in Israel, Time To Know was conceived by Shmuel Meitar, the millionaire businessman who co-founded the Aurec Group. Aurec is an international investment firm with a 40-year track record of building successful companies in industries such as media, communications, and enterprise software. Time To Know recently completed two years of testing in fourth and fifth grade classrooms in four schools in Tel Aviv and commissioned a study by the leading educational research institute in Israel. According to the study, these classrooms showed improved teaching quality, better test scores, a deeper understanding of concepts, an improved learning environment with fewer disruptions, and an increase in student confidence, motivation and enjoyment of math and reading/language arts.

According to Tom Greaves, co-author of America’s Digital Schools 2008, an authoritative, wide ranging study on education technology trends, the quality of one-to-one implementations has vastly improved in recent years. However, complete realization of the model’s potential has been stymied due to the lack of comprehensive digital curriculum and teacher tools designed to maximize the benefits of a one-to-one computing environment.

“Most of the early one-to-one implementations were driven by the technology rather than by the academic needs of students, which led to less than optimum results. Professional development and the incorporation of electronic materials is on the rise, but until now it’s been up to schools to kluge together instructional components,” said Greaves. “Time To Know fills the gaps of many one-to-one computing programs by providing a fully integrated digital curriculum, and by enabling a powerful instruction delivery model that truly harnesses the power of technology-rich classrooms.”

Here in the United States, Time To Know creates a new educational product category, the Digital Teaching Platform, which empowers teachers to easily manage instruction, learning and assessment. With Time To Know, the teacher guides the class using an engaging curriculum that is integrated with tools for classroom management, planning, assessment and collaboration. Unlike tutorial software, Time To Know is a core curriculum program that delivers standards-based instruction in mathematics and reading/language arts to help students learn essential content and prepare for high stakes tests. Built upon social constructivist principles, the interactive curriculum also offers open-ended explorations and collaboration tools to deepen student understanding and strengthen problem-solving skills.

For teachers, Time To Know provides time-saving tools to streamline classroom management, create a smooth flow between group and individual instruction, and deliver differentiated activities to every learner. It also enhances the teacher’s role as a coach by providing intensive, ongoing training on strategies for individualizing instruction, building collaborative learning skills, and establishing reflective teaching practices.

“So many companies talk about changing education through technology. But none of the products currently available are designed specifically for teachers’ and students’ use inside the classroom during class time,” said Ziv Carthy, general manager of Time To Know. “Many of Time To Know’s key benefits directly align with the core reforms of President Obama’s education policy, in particular, helping teachers strengthen their skills and quickly helping the lowest performing students succeed. We think the U.S. education market will fully embrace this approach, and we’re excited to be able to help school districts maximize their return on investment in computers and other classroom technologies.”

Currently available for grades four and five in math and reading/language arts, Time To Know plans to quickly expand its curriculum offerings to additional grade levels and subject areas. For more information, please visit www.timetoknow.com or call 888-559-6560.
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Media contact:

Leslie Eicher, APR
Eicher Communications
Leslie@EicherCommunications.com
314-965-1776