New Ongoing Program Successfully Educates Students on the Value of Technology-Based Learning
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Jan 21, 2004--The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), the world`s largest provider of corporate and professional learning solutions, announces the successful launch of its First Class In-Service program, a program that helps students and instructors get the most from required textbooks, course materials and technology-based courseware components.
Under the First Class In-Service program, a Thomson representative visits classrooms and provides demonstrations of the key features of technology-based course materials to instructors and students at the beginning of each term. This training makes it easier for instructors to integrate technology with traditional teaching materials and shows students how to improve learning by leveraging the technology tools and courseware they receive when purchasing their textbooks.
''The student and instructor response to our First Class In-Service program has been overwhelmingly positive,'' said Stephen Hochheiser, Thomson Learning`s Director of Academic Reseller Management of the Thomson Corp. ''Our representatives have been bowled over by their enthusiasm. Students and professors have even been taking the time after the training to thank our representatives for alerting them to all the useful features contained in the course textbook`s accompanying materials or technology. It`s so gratifying to know our program is doing exactly what we hoped--helping students get more from their classroom materials and expanding the teaching opportunities for instructors.''
The reliance on technology-based courseware has increased dramatically in recent years due the growing technological sophistication of today`s students, the trend toward customized learning tools and the budget cuts forcing instructors to do more with less. The prominence of these tech-enabled learning tools has spurred a new demand for customized training that the First Class In-Service is designed to address.
The Thomson Learning representative educates students on the value of the textbook and course material their professor has selected and provides support to instructors by training students on the use of all technology-based components, thereby decreasing the time required to integrate the technology into the classroom. The program is aimed at ensuring students and instructors get the most value from the information-rich, user-friendly technology components that supplement traditional approaches to instruction and learning.
Institutions across the country including University of Central Florida, Georgia State, San Diego State, Portland State University, and the University of Houston have utilized the services offered by Thomson`s First Class In-Service program. To date, Thomson has successfully conducted more than 400 in-service programs, training more than 152,000 students on technology products that support the learning process, including an online homework tool hosted by Thomson that allows students to complete end-of-chapter exercises and problems
and streamlines the grading process for instructors.
''At Thomson, we are taking the proven success of the textbook and combining it with technology to better serve and meet the needs of students,'' said Ronald Schlosser, president and CEO of Thomson Learning. ''When we capitalize on advances in technology we can expand learning options for instructors and students, making it possible to tailor courseware, enhance communication tools, and maintain student interest. The First Class In-Service initiative is designed to ensure that all of our customers receive the maximum value from our textbooks and other course materials by offering extensive training on the use
of those materials.''
Driven by education`s rising need for technology in the classroom, Thomson offers content delivery in virtually any format - online tools, Web sites and other technology product extensions. Although the textbook remains the cornerstone of all learning tools, a variety of useful technology-based supplemental materials have emerged to enhance the pedagogy of all disciplines.
''The significant value of textbooks and other course materials today reflects the need instructors have for a broader range of teaching resources and the desire to continuously improve student success,'' added Stephen Hochheiser. ''Given quality innovation and success of education is our number one goal today, we`re doing everything we can to provide such resources.''
About The Thomson Corporation
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2002 revenues from continuing operations of $7.5 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn.,
Thomson has approximately 43,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation`s common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning.
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