BUFFALO, N.Y. – As America's largest classroom, PBS, along with other PBS member stations including WNED, announced plans last month to launch PBS LearningMedia. This new public media education platform will be available to every teacher and student across the country in time for the 2011-2012 school year. PBS LearningMedia is a next-generation digital media platform for Pre K-16 classrooms to help re-imagine classroom learning, transform teaching and more creatively engage students.

PBS stations are the number one source of educational media for students and teachers, at home and in schools, from coast to coast. Distributed by PBS member stations in every school district, the new digital media platform will deliver classroom-ready, high-quality content tied to curriculum standards, professional development courses, a robust content delivery system and a flexible infrastructure designed for customization and seamless integration into existing services.

"It takes commitment from the entire nation to help build the classroom of tomorrow, and our member stations stand at the ready to partner in every community," said Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO. "Digital media content – so pervasive in the lives of children – has the potential to dramatically change the way students learn and participate in a global society."

Over 60% of K-12 teachers frequently use digital media in the classroom and are increasing their reliance on free resources due to school budget cuts.

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well TV, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970 The Information Station, the member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities. Additional information about WNED can be found at wned.org.