Meeting Recap Feb 26 - Speaker, Ann McCormick
Posted by E, Lizzie Schuck
Rotary
Program Notes for Feb 26, 2015
Ann McCormick, CEO of the Learning Co., a children's educational software company was the guest speaker. Irwin Cohen introduced her telling us that she has a PHD from Berkeley in Elementary Reading.He said this about her, "she has a love of learning, and a love of children" that isn't necessarily evident on her resume/vita. Past successes include creating Reader Rabbit.
Anne told us that she is fortunate to have the financial backing of Sherry Fisher, who has committed $1,000,000 for 1 1/2 years of funding.
Ann shared several pieces of data to explain why she focuses on reading:- 1 in 3 people in the US never reads past a 5th grade level.
- 98% of people in prison can't read.
- 80% of low income people don't read proficiently.
- 1/3 of all Americans reading level is below basic literacy.
Ann's goal was to take the complication out of learning to read.
She created an app called “Reader Bee” that breaks down words into pictures, sounds and letters.
The app has won 7 awards, including most recently the Parents Choice Award.
Ann tested this app at Kings Mountain Elementary School last year.
The app is good for children in PreK-K currently and sells for 99 cents.
She created an app called “Reader Bee” that breaks down words into pictures, sounds and letters.
The app has won 7 awards, including most recently the Parents Choice Award.
Ann tested this app at Kings Mountain Elementary School last year.
The app is good for children in PreK-K currently and sells for 99 cents.
Ann further explained she worked with an El Granada puzzle maker, Scott Kim, on the app, as well as Francis Ford Coppola Studios.Ann built the new app on a honeycomb array keyboard created in 1982, that allows the user to create multiple words from letters and pictures.
The app also includes resources for grown ups and hands on activities, to support the young learners. The app fits with the new Common Core State Standards.
You can reach Ann at Ann@readerbee.com.
Next week the presenter will be: Leonard Stone, History of Politics