making learning social

On PenPal news students read, share and discuss relevant news and educational content. The PenPal News platform is explicitly designed to foster one-on-one interaction and learning.

Students read and write about news and educational content based on where they live and where their penpal lives. They are guided through interactive activities to do with each other.

Reading, writing, and thinking critically with a peer fosters an emotional connection with content and creates student buy-in. PenPal News prompts and activities are tied to the Common Core Standards.

1. Teachers sign up for a fixed length session. Students are matched with students from another class domestically or internationally.

2. Each week, students read and discuss content related to where they live, or where their penpal lives.

3. The exchange culminates with a group or individual journalistic product that is shared with the community.

PenPal News provides

• a prescribed interaction model

• automated systems and structures to support a well-run exchange

• curated, aggregated and relevant content targeted towards 7-12 graders

• a cool, simple, easy-to-use platform

Early success

• We’ve piloted a private beta with 2000+ students, 50 teachers in 15 countries

• Teachers love us: 76% referral rate, 60% would be very disappointed to not use PenPal News again, some paying customers already

Distribution Models:• Integration with School.Me, Scholastic,

Pearson, Foreign Language Learning platforms • Stand-alone web app• App for Edmodo other content distribution

systems

Revenue Models:• Licensing ($100k+)• Selling teacher and school session

subscriptions $40 (one class), $1500 (one school, unlimited sessions for a year)

is seeking seed-stage investment.

• to support agile product development• customer development• marketing

Our Team

• Michael Bernstein, Founder, CEO• Anne Schanz, Product Manager/UX• Jennifer Dopazo, Graphic Design

launching September 2012