(School Library Journal, March 12, 2010) Follett Software has just introduced a way to expand the library into the classroom 24/7.
 
Cognite offers an easy-to-use digital learning environment for librarians, students, parents, teachers, and administrators by allowing them to share content.
 
“We know from district leaders and teachers who we talk to on a daily basis that they feel it is more important than ever to help educators spend more time with their students, engage the student with digital discovery tools and resources, and ensure that parents feel they are a key part of the educational experience,” says Follett Software’s Lisa Lee, program director for Cognite. “Connecting these audiences through technology, Cognite will augment the digital transformation that we’re seeing in learning environments coast to coast, and reinforce the essential skills that allow students to explore and express themselves.”
 
How does it work? Cognite makes it easier for teachers to develop lesson plans, create assignments, and grade projects. Its secure messaging system also helps teachers answer students' questions, share ideas with other teachers, and send updates to parents. Students can use its online classroom collaboration tool to reach out to teachers and work with classmates on group projects. Parents also will have an easy-to-access place where they can stay informed about their child’s progress in real time with information on assignments, grades, and class activities.
 
Cognite's technology also helps with individualized instruction, serving as a gateway to materials for student collaboration, interactive presentations, differentiated learning groups, and one-on-one enhanced lessons. Cognite helps principals better support student success by aligning with their district's learning objectives.
 
District administrators can use Cognite to transform their schools into a user-friendly digital learning environment, not just during the school day but all the time.
 
“It gives teachers, students and parents access to all your digital resources: district-owned, school-owned and teacher-created materials,” says Follett. “It also helps supplement your textbooks with resources found using Cognite, and provides real-time access to digital textbooks.”
 
For librarians in particular, the software integrates with those who have Destiny Library Manager to create a “seamless digital discovery and retrieval experience,” says Follett.
 
So far, Cognite is being beta tested in three school districts: Alki Middle School and Skyview High School in Vancouver, WA; Oak Hammock School (K–8) in St. Lucie, FL; and Veterans Memorial Middle School and Hoover and Roosevelt elementary schools in Melrose, MA. 
Tommy Brow, the principal at Veterans Memorial Middle School, says parents, students, and teachers are now able to share up-to-date specific information. “Cognite affords us an easy-to-use, online opportunity to collaborate and organize information. It’s just what we were looking for.”
For more information about Cognite, visit www.FollettSoftware.com/Cognite where a video, “Cognite: Your Digital Learning Environment,” is available for viewing.