The Compliment to Computerized Learning in Social Skill Builders Now Enters the Class

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 17, 2009 -- February 17, 2009

Phoenix, AZ - Clayton Christensen in his book “Disrupting Class” predicts that by the year 2019, 50% of U.S. students will be learning on line. As students are becoming more and more acclimated to using computers, and social interactions may be somewhat diminished -albeit often inappropriate- why not offer them structured activities, which build their social skills and 21st Century needs?

“Why Not?” says Barb DiMarco president of Downtime Educational Services in Phoenix Arizona. “I’ve run these exercises with high risk students for 14 years with a noticeable positive effect on attitudes, relationships and goal-setting. Its surprising how few students know how to communicate with each other effectively” Barb recounts, “Yet, interpersonal relationships make up half of a person’s job success.”

Barb was an award winning school program director, therapist and court mediator in Pennsylvania before moving to Phoenix and becoming involved with computerized education in ’07. “What on line curriculum does for high school students is amazing. I have observed a doubling in school demands for computerized curriculum in the past two years. No doubt that for all it offers, it has a huge part the future of learning. “

Looking to compliment computerized education with building social skills and other 21st Century skill sets seemed like a natural progression. Helping students work together more effectively and build skills for their own personal success has always been a strong concern of Barb’s. “I used to marvel at how easy it was to transform even an angry teenager into a responsible citizen with just a little friendly mentorship in a group setting.” “Now I can take all of my successful exercises and share them with interested teachers across the nation” The exercises are not only fun and interesting, but they strengthen the relationships between students and students and teachers. “These are the kinds of things that no one ever forgets because of the special moments between people and moments of surprising discovery” Barb reflects.

Downtime Eductional Services is located in Chandler Arizona. The Goal of the company is to offer materials to compliment the academic training of developing young minds. Presently it offers High School Activity Books with thirty 20-60 minute fun; engaging exercises teachers can run in their classes with no prep time. As the company grows there will be activity books for middle school and eventually for elementary school.

You can find out more or order books by looking at the website DowntimeEd.com, writing Info@DowntimeEd.com, or calling Downtime Educational Services at: 480.961.2185.

Contact: Barb DiMarco, President
DowntimeEd.com
Phone: 480.961.2185 Cell: 480-789-2476
Fax: 888.579.5607
Email: info@DownTimeEd.com
DownTime Educational Services
2102 W. Knox Rd.
Chandler, AZ 85224

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building social skills     strengthening communications