Press Release

Diane Hagan
BASCOM
(631) 434-6600
media@bascom.com

Web 2.0 Flexible Filtering with New Global Chalkboard
Video Selector™ Showcased @ NECC 2009

Hauppauge, New York - July 1, 2009 — BASCOM Global Internet Services, Inc., an industry-leader in Internet management solutions for K-12 schools and libraries, today showcased the flexible filtering of its Global Chalkboard designed to give educators a simple system for integrating Internet resources, including Web 2.0 content, into curriculum. After listening to the issues and frustrations of teachers, students, technology directors, and school administrators when trying to using Web 2.0 applications with a traditional filter, BASCOM's Development Team enhanced the Global Chalkboard's filtering to securely handle the collaborative content of Web 2.0 applications.

The Global Chalkboard's flexible filtering addresses the security challenges that occur when using collaborative Web 2.0 content in the classroom. Technology directors are able to keep the classroom secure by managing the filter based on a school's Acceptable Use Policy, but with flexible filtering they are also able to delegate authority to teachers to make content decisions—including Web 2.0 resources—within the school policy. Therefore, when it's educationally appropriate, students can access Web 2.0 applications in the classroom. Another new Web 2.0-enhanced feature—the Global Chalkboard Video Selector™—empowers teachers to safely and easily use YouTube videos in a Web-enriched lesson. Now, with the Global Chalkboard, teachers can engage students in active learning by safely using Web 2.0 applications in curriculum.

"By putting content decisions into the hands of educators, Web 2.0 applications can now be used in the classroom to teach," states Peter Cirasole, BASCOM's CEO/President. "Technology directors are still able to maintain security, but they are no longer forced to review content—including YouTube videos or blogs—to see if it is appropriate. Those decisions are delegated to educators. Finally, there's a simple solution for using Web 2.0 content in the classroom that eases tensions across departments."

To learn more about the Global Chalkboard's flexible filtering and its new Web 2.0-enhanced features, visit www.bascom.com and view our recorded webinar: "Internet filters and Web 2.0 in K-12 schools: Can't they just get along?"

About National Educational Computing Conference (NECC)
For almost three decades, NECC has been the premier forum in which to learn, exchange, and survey the field of educational technology. This annual conference—presented by ISTE and keyed to the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)—features hands-on workshops, lecture-format and interactive concurrent sessions, discussions with key industry leaders, and the largest educational technology exhibit in the nation.

About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy and leadership for innovation. ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 100,000 professionals worldwide.

About the Global Chalkboard
BASCOM's Global Chalkboard is an innovative and flexible teaching tool that uses the Internet for learning. The Global Chalkboard provides immediate access to educational Web sites and builds Web-enriched lessons mapped to curriculum goals and state standards.

The Global Chalkboard is both flexible and easy to use. It offers a novice user immediate access to educational sites with the Web Library; it offers an intermediate user prepackaged, ready-to-use BASCOM lessons; and it offers an advanced user a method of building their own, Web-based lessons using the Global Chalkboard's Lesson Creator.

About BASCOM
BASCOM Global Internet Services, Inc. is a software development company specializing in curriculum-based, Internet management solutions for K-12 schools. From our beginning in 1996, BASCOM has focused on producing, next-generation, curriculum tools for the K-12 education market.

BASCOM's goal is to help children become successful learners by safely extracting the educational content of the Web. This is accomplished by building Internet teaching tools based on input we've received from K-12 educators. We are constantly adapting our products to meet the changing needs of today's teachers.

BASCOM is a privately held company located in Hauppauge, New York. For more information, visit www.bascom.com