ASCD Response to PD In Focus Award

Statement from Gene R. Carter, Executive Director, ASCD
September 21, 2009

I'm very pleased to announce that PD In Focus, ASCD's interactive, Web-based professional learning application, was named a winner in the Teacher Tools category of the ComputED Gazette's 14th Annual Education Software Review Awards (EDDIEs) last week. The award review noted, "PD In Focus is a unique technology tool for expanding professional development, and we highly recommend it."

The esteemed EDDIE Awards target innovative and content-rich programs and Web sites that provide parents and teachers with technology to foster education excellence. Winners are selected from titles submitted by software publishers around the world. Congratulations go to Linda Scraper, ASCD's director of Online Product Development, and core team members Michael Berkeley, Tim Register, Tamera Anderson, Reece Quiñones, and many others across the organization who helped to develop this product.

This award continues to emphasize the importance of online product development to our members and fellow educators. PD In Focus launched earlier this year, and it has already had several landmark moments. Since March, it has twice been named a "Go-To Site" by Education Week’s Digital Directions magazine. ASCD launched an upgraded version of the application at the end of August, and over the next year we’ll be looking to add more content and resources to PD In Focus. 

The addition of PD In Focus to our already robust suite of professional development solutions affords us yet another opportunity to meet educators' on-demand professional development needs in their own time––on their own terms.

Contact Information

• Barbara Michelman, communications director, at 1-703-575-5764, or by e-mail. 
• Laura Berry, communications specialist, at 1-703-575-5461, or by e-mail.

Founded in 1943, ASCD is a nonprofit educational leadership association that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead. We provide expert and innovative solutions in professional development, capacity building, and educational leadership. ASCD's membership comprises more than 175,000 principals, teachers, superintendents, professors of education, and other educators from 119 countries. Our association also has nearly 60 affiliates throughout the world.

Links in this publication are time-sensitive. These links may move or expire as the news changes. If you notice a deactivated or changed link, please e-mail us. Some sources may require registration.