Learning.com's TechLiteracy Assessment Named as Finalist for SIIA Codie Award

Assessment provides districts with data on technology literacy for elementary and middle school students

Portland, Ore., January 15, 2007 — Learning.com's TechLiteracy Assessment, which measures students' technology skills proficiency and provides data to support improved student learning outcomes, is a finalist for the Software & Information Industry Association's (SIIA) annual Codie Awards.

This highly competitive and prestigious award honors outstanding achievement and vision in the software, digital information and education technology industries. TechLiteracy Assessment, released by Learning.com in spring 2006, is nominated in two categories:

• Best Student Assessment Solution, and
• Best Instruction Solution in Other Curriculum Area

"The 2007 Codie Finalists represent real winners, even at this stage of the contest," said Ken Wasch, SIIA President. "Competition is fiercer than ever and that makes selection as a Codie Finalist a major achievement."

TechLiteracy Assessment is a district-wide solution for measuring technology proficiency for elementary and middle school students. It meets the needs of administrators and teachers who seek data to help them understand how well students grasp foundational technology skills. TechLiteracy Assessment provides that data with an authentic assessment that can be given by teachers in just one class period.

"Students must be effective at technology-based communication and collaboration to be successful, but knowing whether students were truly proficient has been a challenge for educators until now," says Bill Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder of Learning.com, the premier provider of Web-enhanced instruction. "TechLiteracy Assessment provides a cost-effective and fast assessment that provides useful benchmarking to show student proficiency with relevant 21st century skills."

For example, with TechLiteracy Assessment teachers can now know before approaching a lesson whether students have the foundational technology skills to create a pie chart in a spreadsheet for a fractions lesson. They can understand from the graphically rich reports whether they need to teach a technology skill before using it in a lesson, or whether their students are ready to take on more challenging tasks.

SIIA, which will name the Codie winners in April, is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA officials noted this year's competition drew a record number of entrants, making the awards even more competitive.

About Learning.com
Learning.com, the premier provider of Web-enhanced instruction, partners with schools and districts to improve student learning outcomes. The Portland, Ore.-based company transforms learning experiences through its understanding of the art and science of Web-based teaching and learning. Its pioneering software products, EasyTech and TechLiteracy Assessment, provide educators with the tools to incorporate technology skills into core curriculum instruction. Educators also receive the data to understand how well students are grasping foundational technology skills and meeting accountability requirements. For more information, please visit www.learning.com or call 503-284-0100.