Internet Learning Tutor Steps Up To Level 102: Download Multimedia & Shop Online

DALLAS - Having fun on the Internet by downloading the latest movie clips and music, as well as shopping online, can be easy with the proper hands-on training. For those who want to extend their basic Internet knowledge, Verizon SuperPages.com today launched Level 102 of the Internet Learning Tutor (www.SuperPages.com/ilt) a fun, free online interactive training series geared toward consumers and small businesses.

"Many Internet novices feel intimidated by advanced online tools because they don't know how to use them," said Patrick Marshall, group vice president-marketing, Verizon Information Services. "The Internet Learning Tutor starts with the basics and builds the user's knowledge with each step; Level 102 users develop skills that allow them to confidently and legally download their favorite songs and shop online."

Downloading Multimedia

Using real-life examples, the site demonstrates how to listen to music and watch movie clips online. The Tutor also recommends reputable sites for downloading MP3s and movie trailers, as well as listening to radio stations from across the world on the Internet. Easy-to-follow instructions explain step-by-step how to download the appropriate plug-ins for using multimedia.

Shopping Online

Level 102 educates users about how to shop safely online, so they can easily identify which Web sites are secure for making transactions. Additional lessons show users the benefits of shopping online, including a wider selection of products and the ease of comparison shopping. The Tutor even explains how to bid on products in an online auction as well as how to use an online shopping cart to collect items before making a purchase.

Dynamic Learning

Verizon frequently adds new information to the Tutor to provide an active learning environment. Internet Learning Tutor Level 101 now has a section about Internet security and how to properly prevent and handle computer viruses.

"Verizon provides Tutor users with the most helpful and up-to-date information regarding important Internet topics," said Marshall. "Level 102 is now available and we'll launch Level 103, which teaches users about how to market their businesses online, in the fall."

Hosted on Verizon SuperPages.com, the leading online directory and shopping resource, the Tutor is designed for those who have access to computers but lack the training to effectively use the Internet's communications tools and Web site capabilities. Nearly 46 percent of Americans are not proficient Internet users, even though the Internet is available free at nearly every public library in the U.S.

Organizations supporting the Tutor series of interactive courses include: Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), Internet Education Foundation, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and The Welfare to Work Partnership.

The Tutor emerged out of a series of hands-on Verizon Internet Learning Day programs conducted in 25 different cities since 1998. Working with local organizations such as public libraries and workforce investment boards to train more than 5,000 attendees, Verizon developed an online Internet educational curriculum.

Verizon Information Services and SuperPages.com

Verizon Information Services is the world's leading print and online directory publisher, a content provider for communications products and services, and the largest publisher of Hispanic directories in the U.S. With operations in 16 countries and annual revenues of more than $4.3 billion, Verizon Information Services publishes nearly 1,200 U.S. Verizon SuperPages directories and 400 international directories with a total circulation of approximately 150 million copies worldwide.

Based in the Dallas area, Verizon Information Services produces and markets SuperPages.com, the Internet's #1 online directory and shopping resource. SuperPages.com receives as many as 14 million visits and 9 million unique visitors a month and powers directory services on MSN, InfoSpace, AltaVista, Excite, Lycos, Ask Jeeves, HotBot, BigFoot, Tripod and Angelfire as well as more than 2,500 affiliate Web sites.

The company supports computer literacy with philanthropic programs and through the Enlighten Me and Internet Learning Tutor sites on SuperPages.com. Enlighten Me is a fun site where children and their caregivers go to read, learn and explore. The Internet Learning Tutor is specifically designed for adults who are just learning their way around the Internet.

Verizon Information Services is a unit of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Through its signature Verizon Reads program and the Verizon Literacy Network, Verizon is leading the fight to increase U.S. literacy levels by creating community and corporate awareness, raising funds, encouraging collaboration among literacy providers and engaging employees in supporting literacy programs.

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