Homework Goes Handheld with PLATO Achieve Now

PLATO Learning launches first-ever educational content for PSP (PlayStationPortable) handheld entertainment system

For kids in the digital age, it's a familiar refrain, "no video games until you finish your homework." But what happens when homework is a video game?
PLATO Learning, Inc., a leading provider of K-adult computer-based and e-learning solutions, is forever changing the definition of "homework." The company announced today it is first to market in North America with educational gaming software for Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable)--selling its popular PLATO Achieve Now program on one of the hottest-selling handheld entertainment systems beginning this April.

PLATO Achieve Now delivers research-based educational content as a series of fun, interactive games, which are proven to help elementary and middle school students meet high academic standards and improve academic proficiency. The software challenges students to practice, advance, and excel through games that target key language arts, reading, and mathematics skills. With more than 2,000 hours of content aligned to all 50 states, PLATO Achieve Now's 57 games provide kids with an engaging, supplemental study tool to boost their academic skills through expanded class-time and school-to-home deployment.

"The concept of education lessons through games is quickly gaining traction with parents and teachers as a new way to reach today's student," said Todd Brekhus, vice president of product and market management for PLATO Learning. "Interactive gaming helps build valuable problem-solving skills through play, and PLATO Achieve Now helps harness those skills by adding rigorous academic content to the gaming experience--better than a boring worksheet."

According to the Federation of American Scientists, more than 80% of school-aged kids have a video game console at home, and a majority has two or more. In addition, just over half of those kids who own a video game console also have a handheld game system. Young learners who have grown up with digital technologies continue to drive the growth of the educational technology market by bringing gaming to structured learning environments.

"Today's digital native students want software tools that will empower them to learn basic subjects, like reading and math," said Marc Prensky, author of Digital Game-Based Learning in a speech delivered at the U.S. Department of Education. "The tools must be not only powerful, but engaging. Using games as learning tools strengthens both the subject mastery and student engagement."

PLATO Achieve Now is a great fit for PSP(R) because the control scheme is intuitive for many children, and the high-resolution widescreen brings the educational content to life - all in a portable package.

"PLATO Learning is thrilled to be the first educational technology provider in North America to offer our educational software on such a hugely popular handheld entertainment system," said Mike Morache, PLATO Learning's president and CEO. "We believe educational gaming holds great promise for future improvement in student achievement, and PLATO Achieve Now on PSP system is a significant starting point for fulfilling this promise."

PLATO Learning plans to have PLATO Achieve Now titles available for PSP system beginning in April. For more information, visit www.plato.com/anPSP.aspx.