News-O-Matic Honored with Summer 2020 Academics’ Choice Smart Media Award
We are thrilled to announce that News-O-Matic has been honored with a Summer 2020 Academics’ Choice Award in the “Smart Media” category. Academics’ Choice is the only international awards program designed to bring increased recognition to publishers, manufacturers, independent authors, and developers that produce media and toys to stimulate children’s cognitive development.
A volunteer panel of judges — including parents, educators, scientists, artists, doctors, nurses, librarians, students, and children — evaluates award submissions based on each product’s educational benefits, such as higher-order thinking skills, character building, creative play, durability, and originality.
Here’s what some of the reviewers had to say about News-O-Matic:
“As an educator, News-O-Matic would make an easy addition to a whole-class news activity using a smartboard (or similar). The stories spark discussion and have an element of ‘fun.’ Unlike video-only news for kids, News-O-Matic encourages the process of reading and reflection (and sharing) with families or peers. In our current remote-learning situation, News-O-Matic stories would be great to offer students some choice and voice in what they are interested in sharing with a small group or whole class. Homeschool families would enjoy exploring news stories at the depth and complexity they choose. This is a fantastic subscription to encourage family discussions!”
“News-O-Matic is a one-stop shop for current events for students. It offers interactive learning that parents and teachers could feel confident allowing kids to explore independently.”
“I liked the focus on unbiased news reporting. There was a focus on newsworthy content that is applicable to the broader national discussion (articles on COVID-19, SpaceX, TikTok, etc.) but also articles that kids genuinely want to read.”
“My child checks on the updates daily. He has never really cared much for current events until he was introduced to News-O-Matic. Now he looks through all the articles and either reads them or has them read to him. This app is a platform for us to talk about what's going on in the world and why.”
To read the full announcement and reviews, visit the Academics’ Choice Award website.