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February 2011 

CK-12 Foundation Newsletter
Home of the FREE Digital FlexBook
In This Issue
CK-12 Now Offers Human Biology Series
CK-12 Intern Delivers Keynote Address
Check it Out
Teacher Quote
In the News
Notes from Neeru

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CK-12 Now Offers Human Biology Series

               Human Bio Genetics Cover              Human Bio Nutrition Cover

CK-12 has expanded its Biology library with the addition of ten standards-aligned volumes making up the Human Biology curriculum, an interdisciplinary and inquiry-based approach to the study of life science (http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/books/humanbiologycurriculum/).  These individual units or groups of units from Human Biology are designed to help expand the life science portion of the science curriculum and connect science and health instruction. Designed specifically for middle school students, the series is based on Stanford University's renowned Human Biology undergraduate program. 

 

"This comprehensive series is notable for its interactive and activity-driven content that draws students into the learning and investigative process," said CK-12 Co-Founder and Executive Director Neeru Khosla, "We were also impressed by the fact that the content has been extensively field-tested." 

 

The series features Student Books and Teachers Guides that provide an overview of each unit, specific suggestions for teaching each section and an activity guide for the unit.

 

The series includes:

 

Human Systems

 

1. Digestion and Nutrition

2. Lives of Cells

3. Circulation

4. The Nervous System

5. Genetics

6. Breathing

 

Adolescent Topics

 

7. Reproduction

8. Your Changing Body

9. Sexuality

 

The Environment

10. Ecology

CK-12 Intern Delivers Keynote Address at BUILD's 10th Anniversary Gala
Andrew Build

 

Andrew Oseguera is a driven young man.  A senior at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, Andrew has been balancing his school commitments with his work at CK-12, where he began working as a summer intern in 2010 and was subsequently brought on as the editorial assistant for CK-12's Content Team. 

 

Andrew exemplifies commitment to hard work and self-improvement and his dedication has been recognized by many.  To that end, Andrew was nominated by Sarah Bloem, BUILD's Program Excellence Specialist and selected to be the keynote student speaker at BUILD's 10th Anniversary Gala in January, which was sold out and attended by more than 300 people. 

 

BUILD runs the nation's largest youth incubators, with the mission to use entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, low-income students through high school to college success. BUILD believes that the power of student ideas in action drives youth to reach their fullest potential in school and beyond.  Only five students out of more than 600 nationally were selected to speak at the Gala and Andrew was selected to deliver the headline keynote.  He shared his personal and inspirational story of how he has transitioned into a college-bound young professional.

 

We are so proud to have Andrew as a member of our team and we congratulate him on this tremendous honor, as well as on his recent acceptance into Notre Dame de Namur University.  Andrew will be the first person in his family to attend college. Thank you, Andrew, for your dedication to CK-12 and our mission.

Check it Out:

 

Meet up with CK-12 at these Upcoming Conferences:

The CK-12 team is hitting the road in March, eager to share the power of high-quality digital textbooks with a variety of educational constituencies.  If you're planning to attend any of these conferences, please email us at [email protected] to set up a one-on-one FlexBook demonstration.  

Teacher Quote

 

Your problem solving in Algebra I is more modern than competitive textbooks that are archaic.

 

Rochelle Ferran, Natomas Charter School, Sacramento, Calif.

In the News

 

Harrisburg Patriot News - February 18, 2011

Capital Area Intermediate Unit wants to test digital textbooks in midstate schools

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/02/capital_area_intermediate_unit_2.html 

 

 

The Free Library - January 20, 2011

SageMilk Signs Licensing Agreement with Free Digital Textbook Provider CK-12 Foundation

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SageMilk+Signs+Licensing+Agreement+with+Free+Digital+Textbook...-a0247049513 

 

Fierce Mobile Content - January 20, 2011

SageMilk Signs Licensing Agreement with Free Digital Textbook Provider CK-12 Foundation

http://www.fiercemobilecontent.com/press-releases/sagemilk-signs-licensing-agreement-free-digital-textbook-provider-ck-12-fou

Notes from Neeru

 

I recently had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on "meaningful education technology" hosted by Leadership Public Schools (LPS) and moderated by Heather Hiles, CEO of rrripple.com.  My fellow panelists were LPS CEO, Dr. Louise Waters and Michael Horn, author of Disrupting Class.  Louise reviewed the LPS hybrid approach - numerous technologies and intense teacher relationships - employed to make their students ready for college success. 

 

It was gratifying to hear Louise talk about the student gains being realized with the help of College Access Readers created by LPS and CK-12.  These online books feature embedded literacy supports and comprehension exercises and can be adapted for individual learning needs, strategies LPS is using with its lowest readers.  Louise reported that after the first half of the year, 58% of these students have already shown more than a year's growth with some gaining as many as 3 years.  This fall, LPS Richmond teachers began fully implementing the new Algebra College Access Reader, adding in immediate-response data with clickers.  Their just-completed semester exams showed 92% of students at or above grade level, out-performing LPS Hayward.  These scores are three times higher than their performance last year, and four times higher than the scores of neighboring schools.  As Louise noted, this is a school in one of the highest poverty communities in California - Richmond's Iron Triangle.  She also noted that this turnaround was the result of a rapid-cycle development process that would have been impossible without technology.

 

Evidence of impressive student gains like those realized at LPS schools is what helps fuel CK-12's dedication to technological innovation and collaboration.  For a more detailed review of the panel discussion, please visit http://www.leadps.org/about/news/2011/disruptingeducation/.