FamiliarTales is a Small Disadvantaged Business that specializes in creating next-generation technology solutions for educators and educational institutions. In its effort to create equal access to free literacy material, FamiliarTales has created a suite of prototype teacher and student tools. With this Phase I award, FamiliarTales will determine the feasibility of integrating its ongoing research and development activities into an existing university-based educational research effort; of creating a methodology for quickly prototyping and testing educational modules in real-world environments to ensure ultimate end-usability; of integrating FamiliarTales technology partners as R&D advisors in the development of the most up-to-date underlying technology solution; and of identifying any late-breaking Internet trends that might affect the ultimate deployment of its tools. In the end, FamiliarTales will provide a desktop solution for teachers that will enable them to concentrate less on technology and more on teaching. It will provide a web interface for students that allow even the very young to utilize age-appropriate Internet educational material. All FamiliarTales tools will be free and will be delivered over the Internet. It is the mission of FamiliarTales to provide teachers with high-quality tools that simplify their classroom lives and make their jobs easier. Summary of Anticipated Results and Implications: None provided.
