DreamBox Learning Launches Pioneering Online Math Adventure Game Designed to Inspire Children to Excel in Mathematics
Studies Show DreamBox Learning K-2 Math Effectively Increases Students' Math Scores by Adapting to Each Child's Knowledge, Pace, and Learning Style
BELLEVUE, Wash., January 27, 2009 — DreamBox Learning, an online eLearning start-up, today launched DreamBox Learning K-2 Math (www.dreambox.com), an innovative online learning product that is built on a standards-based mathematics curriculum and wrapped in a fun, adventure-style interactive game. Developed for children in kindergarten through second grade, DreamBox Learning K-2 Math is an adaptive product that complements what young students learn in the classroom by developing and reinforcing foundational math concepts through effective, individualized instruction while simultaneously being fun and engaging for kids at home.
DreamBox Learning K-2 Math is fundamentally different than any other kids' math learning product on the market. Its underlying curriculum is based on standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and presents in-depth math lessons that develop computational fluency, conceptual understanding, and problem-solving ability. As the child embarks on his/her online math adventure, DreamBox Learning's patented GuideRight™ technology analyzes a student's individual responses and dynamically customizes the content and sequence for each child — just as a great teacher would adapt a lesson to adjust to students who learn in different ways. Kids are able to explore well over a million individual learning paths throughout their math adventures.
"Just as the Internet has revolutionized so many aspects of our lives from how we acquire music to booking a vacation, DreamBox Learning K-2 Math will transform how kids learn via the Web," said Lou Gray, co-founder and chief executive officer of DreamBox Learning. "Our team of technology and education veterans blended best-in-class adaptive Web technology with a national standards-based math curriculum and an enormous layer of fun to create a math-based adventure that effectively engages, motivates and assists kids to learn the math skills that are critically important to their future."
DreamBox Learning K-2 Math was beta-tested by more than 1,400 children, parents, and teachers over the last two years, and early effectiveness studies show very strong results. Two research studies conducted by Dr. Margaret Jorgensen, a leading authority on assessment for K-12 education, show that students made significant gains in mathematics achievement after playing DreamBox Learning K-2 Math. A Grade 2 Study, for example, demonstrated that students increased their scores on a paper-and-pencil mathematics achievement test by 19 percent after just two weeks of playing the product.
"DreamBox Learning has succeeded where many other online games have failed over the years — to make a game that is fun for the child while also creating an effective learning experience," said Dr. John D. Bransford, Professor of Education and Psychology at the University of Washington. "One reason for success is that DreamBox Learning K-2 Math adapts on-the-fly for each learner, carefully setting each child on a productive track of activities. This is a big win for both kids and parents."
DreamBox Learning K-2 Math also involves parents in their child's learning experience through an online dashboard designed to provide feedback and status reports. Additionally, resources such as e-newsletters provide useful hints and tips to parents suggesting how they can reinforce DreamBox Learning's online math lessons with everyday activities.
Following are key features that underscore the educational depth, effectiveness and fun factor of DreamBox Learning K-2 Math:
- Individualized math learning that dynamically adapts to each student's style and pace
- Robust math curriculum based on the NCTM Curriculum Focal Points for Kindergarteners, 1st graders and 2nd graders
- Develops number sense through a focus on counting, number, place value, and computation that builds understanding of math fundamentals at an early age
- More than 350 math lessons to build both conceptual understanding and computational fluency
- Use of virtual manipulatives to encourage and solidify building solutions to problems vs. just clicking on an answer
- Supports, reinforces and enhances math being taught in the classroom
- Four adventure game themes (pirate, pixie, dinosaur, and pets), each including 8 adventure stories
- Kids can choose from 36 characters/avatars to represent themselves on-screen
- More than a million paths through the online math curriculum
- Audio and visual lesson motivators that cheer on kids throughout their math lessons
- Rewards such as collectable online friends, arcade game tokens, and achievement certificates
- Online parent dashboard that monitors and reports progress
- Electronic newsletter providing parents with practical tips on how to transfer math fun to everyday life
Availability, Pricing and Money Back Guarantee
DreamBox Learning K-2 Math is available now at www.dreambox.com and can be accessed by any computer with a standard browser and a high-speed Internet connection.
The product carries tiered subscription pricing per child starting at $12.95 per month, with volume discounts for 6-month and 12-month subscriptions. DreamBox Learning is also offering a limited time introductory offer through March 31, 2009 for six- and 12-month subscriptions priced at $49.95 and $99.95, respectively. A 30-day money back guarantee applies to all subscriptions. Additional pricing details, including a free 14-day trial, are available at www.dreambox.com.
About DreamBox Learning
DreamBox Learning was founded in 2006 in Bellevue, Washington by world-class technologists, educators, interactive entertainment experts, and entrepreneurs who share a collective vision that every child should have access to an individually tailored, Web-based learning experience that is engaging, motivating, and effective. Backed by $7.1 million in angel funding, the company launched a Web-based platform and its first adventure-themed online learning product called DreamBox Learning K-2 Math in early 2009. The home-based product targets young students in kindergarten through second grade and is designed to reinforce and teach real math through effective, individualized instruction in an engaging and fun manner. DreamBox Learning K-2 Math is based on NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) curriculum recommendations, reflecting lessons taught in the classroom. More information can be found at www.dreambox.com.
Media Contacts
For more information or to request a DreamBox Learning K-2 Math media review account, contact:
Please contact: Foghorn PRShelly Eckenroth: 717.852.7060 or seckenroth@foghornpr.com
Mary Leddy: 508.872.3369 or mleddy@foghornpr.com
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