A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Scholastic Inc./Center for Applied Special Technology: WiggleWorks^TM

In 1992, Scholastic Inc., a leading publisher of classroom materials, began its collaboration with CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), a not-for-profit think tank of educators and technology specialists. This partnership resulted in the publication of WiggleWorks, the first large-scale, commercial early-literacy series (72 books in print form) that also incorporates universally designed CD-ROMs for each book.

Universally designed software is usable by everyone, including children with learning disabilities, physical challenges, sensory impairments, and those with other reading challenges?as well as those with extraordinary abilities.

In this unique partnership, Scholastic brought to CAST all the power and reach of a major publisher of educational materials. CAST brought to Scholastic an understanding of universal design and how digital technology can shape instructional materials to accommodate different access needs, learning styles, interests, abilities, and linguistic backgrounds.

By working together, Scholastic and CAST produced a breakthrough product that has achieved extraordinary market penetration and has become a landmark for early-literacy development. This award-winning series grew into a multi-platform product, for the school and home markets, in both English and Spanish.

In the process of producing WiggleWorks, CAST helped Scholastic realize its goal of designing mainstream educational materials that work for everyone; this concept of universal design has dramatically transformed Scholastic's thinking about how to produce educational products. Scholastic also benefited from CAST's knowledge of new brain research and how that data can inform the development of instructional materials.

By being invited to participate in Scholastic's editorial process, focus groups, and sales meetings, CAST learned the importance of designing educational software for teachers and the real-life demands of the classroom. Both Scholastic and CAST made it a priority to work hand-in-hand with educators in the field to design the highest-quality and most useful product possible.

CAST also learned from Scholastic that the design of first-rate learning tools is only half the challenge in broadening learning opportunities for students; the other half is the importance of high-quality graphic, audio, and interface design, smart marketing, and strategic delivery of the product to teachers and students. CAST could not have begun to produce or market the accessible software tools embedded in WiggleWorks without partnering with Scholastic. Scholastic and CAST worked together to bring well-researched pedagogy to life.

Contacts:

Catharine Cook
Director of Development
CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology
39 Cross Street
Peabody, MA 01960
978-531-8555
TTY 978-538-3110
ccook@cast.org
www.cast.org

Anne Schreiber
Managing Editor
Instructional Publishing Scholastic Inc.
555 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
212-965-7363
aschreiber@scholastic.com
www.scholastic.com

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