Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Contact: Al Renshaw
Phone: 1-800-577-9040
e-Mail: Al Renshaw
QUANTUM SIMULATIONS, INC. PRESENTS
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TUTORING TECHNOLOGIES AT EDUCATION SECRETARY'S
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB) LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — July
27, 2004 — Quantum Simulations, Inc., a developer of artificial
intelligence (AI) tutoring software for chemistry and mathematics,
was invited by the U.S. Department of Education as a national expert
to demonstrate its Quantum Tutors® to NCLB policy makers as an example
of leading-edge technology that is transforming education in the classroom
and at home. The Summit, "Increasing Options Through e-Learning,"
was held July 12-13, 2004 in Orlando, Florida and was attended by
a national audience that included governors, legislators, state chiefs,
board of education members, educational technology directors and other
NCLB policy makers.
Dr. Benny Johnson, President and CEO
of Quantum Simulations, Inc., participated on the leadership panel
titled, "Engaging e-Learning and Science Standards for Student Achievement"
along with representatives from the National Science Teachers Association
and TERC, a leading education and research development organization.
The panel explored technology solutions focused on helping children
improve performance in the sciences.
"NCLB is critical for the future of
America's education. We are pleased that Quantum® was asked to take
a leadership role at this conference and demonstrate best practices
in student learning and teacher training utilizing our artificial
intelligence Tutors," stated Dr. Johnson.
Teacher and classroom tested, Quantum's
Chemistry and Applied Mathematics Tutors are proven to
increase test scores by as much as 50%, specifically benefiting those
students who are having the most difficulty understanding science
concepts and problems. Students can enter any problem into the Tutor,
making it compatible with any state school standards and curricula.
Most importantly, because the Tutors are available over the Internet,
students can get help when they need it most — during the evening
hours when a teacher is not readily available to assist with homework.
Along with achieving significant results
in student comprehension and test performance, Quantum® is expanding
its software to include assessment capabilities in support of NCLB,
which will begin science assessments in 2007. With a recent $1.5 million
grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Quantum® will develop
automated grading and assessment reports for its Tutors that provide
comparative performance analysis at the student, classroom, school,
district and state levels.
"We are delighted to be associated as
the evaluators of the grant received by Dr. Johnson and Quantum Simulations,"
comments Selma Sax, Senior Evaluator at Wexford, Inc. "We have been
working with Quantum Simulations this year evaluating the pilot program
in Balancing Chemical Equations and our preliminary findings are most
exciting. Students report that they found the AI programs far better
than 'traditional' tutorial software; they like the option of 'just
in time' help, and over 90% of the respondents indicated they would
use the program again and recommend it to their friends who needed
help in Chemistry. Teachers and students reported they felt the Assessment
program was a great way to quiz and review as it gave them instant
reporting and the opportunity to see just where student error occurred
as well as tutorial help if requested. Teachers also commented favorably
about the time saved. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue
to work with Quantum® on this new grant."
About Quantum®
Quantum Simulations, Inc. develops artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring,
assessment and professional development software that empowers teachers
and inspires students from middle school through college to improve
their knowledge and appreciation for the sciences. Teacher tested
and approved by educators across the United States, Quantum's AI software
is proven in research studies to improve comprehension, problem solving
skills and test scores by as much as 50%. Quantum's intelligent tutoring
engines are integrated with existing web-based learning products,
providing a strong competitive edge for distributing partners. A "technology
think tank," Quantum® is funded and supported by the U.S. Department
of Education, the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes
of Health. For more information, please visit www.quantumsimulations.com.
About Selma Sax, Senior Evaluator
at Wexford, Inc.
Selma L. Sax has more than twenty years of experience in evaluation,
strategic planning, policy initiatives and public service. Previously
a teacher and counselor in California. Ms. Sax was also a school board
member for eight years, twice serving as president of the San Marino
Unified School District board. She has worked with policy, legislative
and educational leaders to assist them in planning and implementing
educational technology in K-12 public education to improve teaching
and learning. Governor Wilson of California appointed her for two
terms to the Education Council for Technology in Learning where she
served for two years as the Chairperson of the Council. Ms. Sax has
also served as one of President George W. Bush's advisors on policy
initiatives in educational technology to improve teaching and learning.
Currently she is the Director of the Center for Quality Teachers at
the Wexford Institute, and was Co-Director of PT3*L3 "Learning, Linking
and Leading," Wexford's 2001 Catalyst Grant funded through the Preparing
Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology grant program at the United
States Department of Education. She is the lead evaluator for three
other PT3 projects and for the High Plains Regional Technology Consortium
all of whom contract with Wexford, Inc. as the evaluation agency.
Ms. Sax also serves as the consulting evaluator on the MathSTAR and
TEAMS-Impact Star Schools Projects administered by the Los Angeles
County Office of Education. For more information about Wexford, Inc.,
visit www.wexford.org.
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