Microsoft, UVa, Thomson and HP Team Up for Student Project

Digital course materials and tools developed through a groundbreaking alliance between the University of Virginia (UVa), Microsoft Corp. (www.microsoft.com), HP (www.hp.com) and Thomson Learning, a part of The Thomson Corporation, are having a positive impact on learning in the UVa classes taking part in the collaboration.

According to study results released today, the majority of participating students report that the tools either increased understanding or retention of class content, or stimulated greater interest in coursework.

The results mark the first research findings of the pilot project that was launched at the start of the 2004 academic year aimed at identifying and measuring the value high-tech tools and rich digital content could bring to students and instructors.

The first phase of the project involved 362 UVa students enrolled in the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences' fall 2004 biochemistry, psychology and statistics classes, as well as their instructors.

Students participating in the technology-rich courses provided formal evaluations of the tools and materials and gave predominantly positive feedback on the content, Microsoft® Office OneNote® 2003 software and the HP Tablet PC 1100.

"We're always examining ways to reinvent traditional approaches to learning and teaching to better serve our students and bolster their academic performance," said Edward L. Ayers, Dean of Arts and Sciences at UVa.

The program combined Thomson's rich library of digital content and e-learning applications with Microsoft OneNote software and HP Tablet PCs, allowing students to take digital handwritten and/or typed notes anywhere on the page, and access the interactive educational platform from any location.

In addition, the technology and content package enabled students to collaborate with each other and communicate digitally with their instructor in real time on campus and in wireless classrooms.

"The primary goal of the pilots is to identify the innovative educational solutions that best help students and instructors," said Steve Rago, senior vice president, Thomson Learning.

To measure the impact of the materials on participants, multiple evaluation measurements were applied, including Internet surveys, focus groups, classroom observations and course evaluations.

"The positive results of these inventive pilots at UVa clearly demonstrate the value of integrating technology into the college curriculum, thereby boosting student achievement and transforming the classroom experience," said Cathy Martin, director, Education and Government, HP.

To help guide the development and assessment of the program, each sponsor outlined key educational goals they hoped the program would achieve.

"Microsoft works hand in hand with the educational community to foster greater understanding of technology's role in supporting continual learning," said Linda Zecher, vice president of the U.S. Public Sector at Microsoft.

As the pilots proceed at UVA and elsewhere, Thomson Learning Labs, based in Stamford, will work closely with academic institutions and business partners to build electronic products that combine high-value content and applications to make institutions more effective, instructors more productive and improve student learning.