School Zone Interactive launched their K-12 Division and previewed a new product at this week’s National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Antonio, TX.
The K-12 Division channel includes direct marketing and sales to schools as well as value added resellers, specialty sales and OEM partners. All of School Zone’s software — including its Flash Action Software, On-Track Electronic Workbooks and Pencil-Pal Software — will be available to educational facilities, school districts and early learning centers through the new channel. All the company’s products are compatible with the traditional Mac operating system.
“We’ve had a presence in the K-12 market before now,” Barbara Peacock of School Zone told MacCentral. “However, we’ve mainly made workbooks and flash cards. But about six years ago, we began working on our software lines. And we still make black and white masters and flash cards that go with some of our titles.”
The On Track line combines traditional workbooks with multimedia technology, Peacock said. Each Electronic Workbook provides children ages 2-12 with educational content presented in creative activities and “accented” with games.
The Flash Action line combines elements of traditional flash cards with modern technology. The titles in the line emphasize specific skill sets so that teachers and parents can focus on individual needs, Peacock said.
Pencil-Pal Software combines games with high-tech learning activities. The Pencil-Pal titles “partners” pencil-and-paper workbook curriculum with interactive content.
The new Flash Action title, Flash Action Colors, Shapes, & More, teaches preschoolers 3-6 readiness skills, such as numbers, positional words, rhyming words and more. It combines practice activities reinforced with play.
Preschools can experience four Activity Centers, including Super Sandbox, Mix & Match Music, Ten Nimble Numbers and Shape Stack-up. Each center provides play, as well as reinforces newly learned concepts, Peacock said. Flash Action Colors, Shapes, & More also offers some random animations designed to cheer children on as they practice their skills.
“One side of the software’s screen is very structured work and the other side is more exploratory,” Peacock said. “We think we’ve offered a good mix of learning and fun.”
Flash Action Colors, Shapes, & More will ship in August. It will retail for US$15.99. Teachers can get it for $14.99 or in a $19.95 bundle that includes an instructor CD and two flash card packs.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.