Pokémon Learning League

Pokémon Learning League is a web-based series of standards-driven, interactive animated lessons for children in third through six grades. Pokémon Learning League leverages the �kid appeal� of the Pokémon brand known for compelling storylines and captivating animation�to draw a diverse range of students into challenging, core curriculum lessons.

Press Release

NEW YORK, July 6. 2006 -- One of the biggest challenges educators face year after year is generating student enthusiasm, curiosity and interest in the learning process, which are powerful drivers of student achievement. With today's release of Pokemon Learning League by Pokemon USA, Inc., educators can harness the broad appeal and imaginative spirit of Pokemon(R), with its captivating animation and storylines, to motivate and engage a diverse range of students in core curriculum lessons.

Pokemon Learning League is a web-based educational suite of animated, interactive lessons in language arts, math, science, and life skills for grades 3-6. Drawing upon current research and using proven instructional strategies, the program is aligned with state and national standards and is designed to help teachers reinforce concepts taught in the classroom.

"Motivation and engagement are decisive factors in student learning, no matter what a student's background or abilities," said Yves Saada, vice president of interactive media for Pokemon USA, Inc. "Pokemon Learning League offers educators a flexible tool that excites and engages all learners in challenging, standards-based content, which can be especially helpful in encouraging the improvement of struggling learners and special needs students."

Pokemon Learning League uses a variety of instructional techniques and activities to help educators adapt instruction to accommodate a range of student abilities and a multitude of learning styles. Through its appealing animation and interactive lessons, the program illustrates key concepts in a way that is accessible and easy to comprehend, helping students who may not have fully grasped the material through other teaching methods.

Lessons are presented in a three-step format that provides guided and scaffolded instruction for students.

• Watch: The learning adventure begins with a narrative-based animated segment in which students, along with the Pokemon characters, are introduced to the educational concept.
• Try: Next, students collaborate with the characters to explore and interact with the material, receiving feedback and support to help deepen their understanding.
• Apply: After practicing with the material, students have an opportunity to apply what they have learned to interactive challenges.

Throughout the program, Pokemon characters demonstrate creative problem- solving skills and prosocial behaviors such as teamwork and skill building to serve as models for students.

The interactive, exploratory component of the lessons enables students to test their understanding and application of concepts in a safe, rewarding context. Because each lesson is designed to be approximately 10 minutes in length and is accessible online, students can move through the lessons at their own pace.

As students proceed through the lessons, they receive positive reinforcement and feedback. Recent educational research indicates that ongoing feedback is critical in helping students gain self-awareness, in minimizing their frustration and in building intrinsic motivation for improvement. Pokemon Learning League enables students to monitor and celebrate their progress throughout the program, receiving points toward special badges as they complete each unit.

A decade after it was first introduced, Pokemon remains a pervasive and well-known brand due in large part to its immersive storylines and high- interest animated characters. Building on this tradition, Pokemon Learning League is uniquely positioned to create the needed link between activities that students seek outside of school and the concepts that they need to learn in school.

To meet educators' needs, the program components are developed by experienced education writers, editors and producers and are evaluated by an advisory board of prominent educators with expertise in curriculum, instruction, and technology integration. Teacher supporting resources such as printable quizzes are included in the program to help teachers integrate the program into classroom instruction.

Educators and students can enjoy free online access to Pokemon Learning League until October 31, 2006. The program will be available to schools, households, and after-school programs on a subscription basis following the free trial period. For more information, visit http://www.pokemonlearningleague.com/ . A report detailing the research basis for the new product is available to view and download from the Pokemon Learning League homepage.