Bob Little Press and Public Relations - BECTA, the Government agency supporting UK education departments in their strategic ICT developments, has approved the use of interactive comic-strip software program, Storywriter Toolkit developed by MyKnowledgeMap (MKM)

Bob Little


Media Centre MyKnowledgeMap Master List PRESS INFORMATION ISSUED ON BEHALF OF: MyKnowledgeMap 37a Mickelgate, YORK, YO1 6JH tel 00 44 (0) 1904 466081; fax 00 44 (0) 1904 659465; web www.myknowledgemap.com 7th February 2007 BECTA approval for comic-strip learning BECTA, the Government agency supporting UK education departments in their strategic ICT developments, has approved the use of interactive comic-strip software program, Storywriter Toolkit. Developed by MyKnowledgeMap (MKM), Storywriter Toolkit creates stories with multiple outcomes and decision points requiring student engagement and can now enable course developers to import their own digital photographs, better tailoring content to students' learning needs. The program's interactions can be created from a range of templates, which map out possible routes through a story and show the decision points encountered on the way. Drag-and-drop content enables the fast change of interactions and outcomes for up-to-the-minute learning that's perfectly suited to particular client or learner groups. Storywriter activities conform to e-learning standards and can be published in VLE, CD-ROM, internet, intranet, or network share formats. The program is a component in MKM's Custom Learning Studio suite, a collection of user-friendly programs for the creation of interactions that can be built into complete, flexible courses without requiring specialist technical expertise. Partner product Hotspot Toolkit allows educators and trainers to create fun images and 3D environments with 'hot-spots' that learners can click to reveal answers or further information. At the end of the activity, learners can print out a report to take away and show. Further information available at http://www.customcourse.com/studio.asp An accredited supplier and vendor for Curriculum Online, York-based MKM is a specialist in the development of bespoke and standard cross-curricular learning environments and platforms. The company's products range from tools to build users' own e-learning, through to custom content to suit specific lessons or projects. More information at www.myknowledgemap.com end Notes for Editors: About MyKnowledgeMap Founded in 2000, MyKnowledgeMap (often known as MKM) is a dynamic company delivering web-based knowledge systems designed by individuals, for the individual. Operating in the corporate, public and education sectors, MKM's range of products and services includes: Academies: MKM is the UK's leading supplier of infrastructure systems for national skill academies, including those in the UK for food & drink manufacturing, sport & active leisure, care, and retail. MKM's e-academy infrastructure helps learners and people with a stake in a particular skill to progress from entry to degree level. Working with the UK's national Sector Skills Councils (MKM's clients include Skillsmart Retail, Improve and SkillsActive), MKM has pioneered online academies that can help people with everything from day-to-day productivity to discovering and achieving relevant qualifications. MKM also offers e-academies tailored to the needs of organisations in the private and local government sectors. Skills diagnostics: MKM's Skills Diagnostic suite allows clients to build their own system of skills diagnosis and training regimens. Its sophisticated software tools are designed to meet clients' specific needs, and to facilitate, not impose, the required solutions. Learning: MKM's e-learning solutions, including e-learning content, delivery systems and teaching aids, are used by a worldwide and growing range of organisations from Lloyds TSB to the RSPB; from manufacturing to retailing; from the police to local authorities; from the University of York to colleges in Delhi, Bahrain and Nairobi. MKM produces inventive and versatile applications that are can be shaped and contextualised by their users to meet the rapidly-changing needs of contemporary work and training, either for use within an e-Academy environment or as stand-alone products. Further Information from: Rob Arntsen / Tom Holland/ Dawn Ritchie, MyKnowledgeMap 00 44 (0) 1904 466081 Peter Muir / Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR 00 44 (0) 1727 860405