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DISCOVERY EDUCATION SCIENCE TECHBOOK APPROVED FOR STATEWIDE USE IN K-12 CLASSROOMS BY OKLAHOMA STATE TEXTBOOK COMMITTEE

-- National Shift from Traditional Textbooks to Dynamic Digital Curriculum Continues as Interactive Science Techbook is Adopted in Oklahoma as Core Instructional Resource --

February 2, 2015

 

SILVER SPRING, Md., [February 2, 2015] - Following a rigorous evaluation, the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee has approved the Discovery Education Science TechbookTM  for statewide use as a core instructional resource through its adoption process. Discovery Education is the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms nationwide. More than 1,000,000 students across 50 states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada currently have access to the Discovery Education Techbook series.

The Oklahoma State Textbook Committee adopted all elementary, middle and high school Discovery Education Science Techbook courses, including Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Physics. School districts across the state now have the option to purchase for students the award-winning Discovery Education Science Techbook, a fully interactive digital solution that replaces traditional textbooks.

"Discovery Education's Science Techbook provides content that helps teachers transition to the world of digital resources," said Dr. Vickie Williams, Associate Director at the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA). "The digital textbook contains more than 140 dynamic digital explorations, and each exploration provides a multimodal approach to understanding how vital scientific processes like photosynthesis and genetics work. Students can visualize the cause and effect relationship between key variables by manipulating, displaying and analyzing data, enabling them to practice the scientific method and to learn to read, write, and think like scientists."

A complete digital solution built from the ground-up, the Discovery Education Science Techbook features compelling video; digital simulations and explorations; virtual and hands-on labs; an interactive glossary with animations, audio, and video; and core interactive text with text-to-speech, leveled reading, highlighting, and note-taking capabilities. Science Techbook supports English language learners through helpful features such as hundreds of Spanish language video segments, a multimodal interactive glossary with definitions in Spanish, and a Spanish reading path with text-to-voice capability. The digital textbook is also aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science.

Discovery Education Science Techbook is built upon the 5E model of instruction, a non-linear curriculum pathway that promotes inquiry-based learning, enhances literacy and thinking skills, and improves student achievement through interactive digital lessons that bring science to life. The Techbook series is transforming instruction with interactive content that specifically appeals to digital learners and real-time updates that allow teachers to incorporate current events and cutting-edge thinking into their curricula.  A recent study conducted by independent research firm Merola Research, LLC found that usage of Science Techbook increased student achievement scores on the FCAT, Florida's standardized test.

Discovery Education Science Techbook is cloud-based and works on any platform-iPads, tablets, mobile devices, laptops, or desktops. In addition, the model lessons embedded throughout the Techbook provide teaching strategies for different classroom configurations- whether whole group, small group, or 1:1. Techbooks are also a substantially less expensive option per student than a traditional textbook, with additional savings derived from a lack of textbook replacement and inventory costs.  Also available for download at the App Store in the U.S. and Canada at no cost is the Discovery Education Techbook appTM. Through the app, users may download the interactive Techbook content they need - from an individual video to an entire concept - to their iPad when they have an internet connection. Once downloaded, that content is available to students, anywhere, anytime even without any internet connection.

Discovery Education understands that teacher engagement is critical to implementing successful learning initiatives.  Therefore, all Techbooks include research-based professional development that supports educators as they integrate new digital content and resources into classroom instruction. The Discovery Educator Network (DEN), a global community of education professionals, further connects teachers and administrators around the world with social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events that inspire innovation and facilitates idea sharing.

"Discovery Education applauds the approval of the Science Techbook for statewide use in Oklahoma," said Amy Knower, Director at Discovery Education. "Across Oklahoma, educators are working hard to create modern classrooms that support the success of each learner.  Discovery Education looks forward to continuing to aid these efforts with dynamic digital resources, like the Science Techbook, and effective, research-based professional development."

For more information about Discovery Education's Techbook series or other services and resources from Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com.

Educators who are interested in receiving access to the Oklahoma evaluator edition of Science Techbook may visitwww.discoveryeducation.com/OKScience.  

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content and professional development for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind.  Available in over half of all U.S. schools and primary schools in England, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com