SALT LAKE CITY, UT, January 11, 2000 Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz finalized a verbal agreement with COMPanion Corporation today to integrate the Big6 information literacy skills model into the Alexandria library automation system.
During the November American Association of School Libraries Conference, Dr. Eisenberg and Mr. Berkowitz of The Big6 spoke with COMPanion Corporation about a strategic partnership to promote student learning within a library technology system. This alliance will integrate the Big6 model into the Alexandria research module. The Big6 provides students with six easy stages for doing effective research. Using Alexandria, students will learn powerful information literacy and research skills.
"We approached COMPanion Corporation because of their impeccable reputation for providing intuitive products and outstanding technical support," said Michael Eisenberg, Co-founder, The Big6.
COMPanion agreed to the alliance because The Big6 model complements COMPanion's overall educational philosophy.
"We are honored to be aligned with such a well known and established learning method and are certain that this partnership with the Big6 will improve student information literacy skills," said Bill Schjelderup, President of COMPanion Corporation. "Mike and Bob have outstanding reputations in the library and education fields."
COMPanion Corporation will incorporate the integrated Alexandria-Big6 interactive research model in their next major release of Alexandria, due Spring 2000.
Developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, the Big6 is the most widely-known and widely-used approach to teaching information and technology skills in the world. Used in thousands of K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and corporate and adult training programs, the Big6 information problem-solving model is applicable whenever people need and use information. The Big6 integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information to specific needs and tasks.
COMPanion Corporation, headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, is the developer of Alexandria, the best selling library automation system for Mac and Windows. Alexandria offers software solutions to the K-12 education market and special/corporate libraries. For over 11 years, COMPanion has established itself as a leader in the K-12 education market. Its suite of products include Alexandria for the Mac OS and Windows, library information systems for schools and districts seeking easy-to-use library automation, and Textbook Tracker, a textbook management tool for schools.