Choose2Matter and SMART Technologies Announce Mattering Quotient Research

SAN ANTONIO, June 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SMART Technologies, a leading provider of collaboration solutions for education, is teaming up with Choose2Matter(TM) to co-sponsor the development of the groundbreaking Mattering Quotient (MQ).

A person's MQ score will reveal their perception of their own importance, contribution, belonging and impact. By measuring MQ in students, schools can take steps to increase their scores, helping them combat feelings of insignificance that are correlated with decreased academic performance.

The MQ algorithm is being developed by a research team of PhD students at the University of Denver, and is inspired by the work of Choose2Matter founder, Angela Maiers.

"Our partnership with Choose2Matter is a sharp contrast to an industry that has become increasingly focused on short-term trends and less on the true success of teachers and students," said Jeff Lowe, VP, Marketing at SMART Technologies. "We believe that the right technology, when paired with support for teachers and strong pedagogy, can make every classroom a place for learners to recognize their full potential and strive to reach it. We're proud to support a connected classroom where every student is able to engage in the way that is most natural to them, whether that be collaborating face to face, contributing through a mobile device, or co-creating in a shared workspace."

"SMART Technologies is creating cutting-edge tools to help students connect, create, and collaborate. The most powerful reason for schools to use technology is to give students the tools to contribute and make their voices heard," added Angela Maiers, Founder of Choose2Matter. "We're grateful to partner with SMART Technologies as the team at the University of Denver undertakes their important research and develops the MQ algorithm."

SMART is demonstrating its commitment to students by signing the #YouMatter manifesto. The company's conviction about the importance of empowering students and teachers is the culmination of their nearly three decades in education technology.

Learn more about Why SMART signed the YouMatter Manifesto. Sign up here for updates on the MQ research as it evolves.

In addition to their work with Choose2Matter, SMART is fostering a partnership with Tes Global, a community of over 8 million teachers. Together, SMART and Tes have developed an online space that gives teachers tools and ideas for unlocking student potential. Visit: https://www.tes.com/inspiringgreatness

To learn more about the full range of SMART products and education software, visit www.smarttech.com. Follow us on Twitter (@SMART_Tech) and join our Facebook page (@SMARTTechnologies) for the latest updates.

To be part of the Mattering movement, follow Choose2Matter (@Choose2Matter) and Angela Maiers (@angelamaiers) on Twitter.

About SMART Technologies Inc.
SMART Technologies Inc. is a world leader in simple and intuitive classroom technology solutions. We are an innovator in software and interactive technologies that enable natural collaboration, helping every student and teacher discover and develop their greatness. To learn more, visit smarttech.com.

About SMART Solutions for Education
Nearly 70 million teachers and students around the world use SMART solutions for education to make learning more interactive, engaging, effective and fun. A consistent innovator and the inventor of the SMART Board® and SMART Learning Suite (featuring SMART amp(TM), SMART Lesson Activity Builder, SMART response® 2, and the world's most popular collaborative learning software, SMART Notebook®). With a full range of interactive displays, SMART helps students and teachers around the world achieve better learning outcomes. To learn more, visit smarttech.com/education.

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SOURCE SMART Technologies Inc.