Geoffrey Broderick is the President of World Book, where he combines his passion for learning with his extensive experience in global leadership across the information, education, and publishing industries. A proud graduate of the US Naval Academy and an MBA holder from the University of Virginia, Geoffrey believes in the transformative power of World Book’s products to turn reluctant readers into confident learners.
1. With today’s flood of misinformation and disinformation online, what role does World Book play in how educators can ensure students receive accurate, expert-backed knowledge while fostering critical thinking and boosting literacy?
In a world where information flows endlessly but truth feels increasingly scarce, ClassMate powered by World Book stands out as a transformative solution. We’ve taken our century-long legacy of editorial excellence and reimagined it for today’s educational challenges.
As recently reported by the National Assessment of Education Assessment (NAEP), adolescent literacy is in crisis—only 30% of eighth graders and 31% of fourth graders meet basic reading proficiency levels— and we must do more than just provide content; we must foster comprehension and critical thinking.
The only way to address the adolescent literacy crisis is to get children engaged and get them to read informational text in all subjects. We make this possible by supporting all teachers in middle school classrooms to engage students in fun, thought-provoking reading on content that supports instruction.
By thoughtfully curating our extensive library of content written exclusively for children, we’ve created an intuitive platform, ClassMate, that seamlessly integrates into teaching workflows — saving valuable time while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and engagement.
Our platform brings joy to learning by promoting student engagement with gamification, collaborative features, and real-world connections, inspiring curiosity and bringing knowledge to life for students of all backgrounds.
ClassMate delivers expertly curated, AI-powered learning tools that provide reliable information and encourage students to analyze, question, and think critically about the content they engage with. By integrating structured literacy support with dynamic, interactive learning, we’re giving teachers and students a foundation they can trust in an era of digital uncertainty.
Moving beyond traditional reference, we’re empowering teachers with dynamic tools that adapt to diverse classroom needs — turning trusted content into inspired, literacy-infused teaching moments.
2. Teachers spend countless hours vetting content and building lesson plans—what role can technology play in transforming this process into a seamless, time-saving experience?
Teachers are stretched thin, and the burden of content curation only adds to their workload. Technology should simplify—not complicate—their daily tasks. With reading for pleasure at an all-time low (only 14% of 13-year-olds read daily, down from 35% in 1984), educators need tools that remove barriers and make reading more engaging.
ClassMate streamlines lesson planning by offering pre-curated, expert-reviewed content that seamlessly integrates with classroom workflows, allowing educators to focus on instruction rather than curation. Our AI-powered tools assist in organizing, assigning, and customizing lessons, helping educators reclaim valuable time while ensuring students engage with reliable, trusted, and engaging material. When technology is purpose-built for education, it empowers teachers rather than overwhelming them.
3. Beyond access to trusted information, what’s missing from traditional educational tools that could make learning more interactive, engaging, and efficient for both teachers and students?
Traditional educational tools often lack the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing classroom tools and the engagement needed to captivate today’s learners. Students need more than just information—they need interactive experiences that foster curiosity to boost literacy.
ClassMate’s organized content libraries make resources instantly discoverable, reusable, and more engaging for students by enhancing learning and incorporating gamification, real-world connections, and multi-modal accessibility features. ClassMate makes complex topics approachable and fun. With tools like fluency and engagement scoring, translation into 100 languages, and AI-powered scaffolding, we’re helping educators create personalized learning experiences that support every student, regardless of their starting point.
4. With AI rapidly changing the landscape of education, how can it be leveraged responsibly to enhance learning without compromising credibility or instructional quality?
At World Book, we believe AI should be used as an ally and a tool to enhance—not replace—personalized learning. With adolescent literacy declining and its consequences affecting long-term outcomes—including employment opportunities —education needs innovative solutions that maintain trust and effectiveness.
ClassMate leverages AI to support educators by automating tedious tasks like content organization and differentiation while keeping human oversight at the core. Our approach ensures that AI complements pedagogical best practices rather than dictating them, maintaining the credibility and quality that teachers and students rely on. Responsible AI in education means balancing innovation with integrity, ensuring that technology amplifies learning without diluting accuracy.
5. As literacy and content comprehension become even more critical in the digital age, how should education leaders think about balancing technology, trust, and engagement in the classroom?
The key to modernizing education is finding the right balance between technological innovation, trusted content, and meaningful student engagement. The stakes are high: students with low literacy skills are more likely to experience academic struggles, lower income, and even higher rates of incarceration. Education leaders should prioritize solutions that seamlessly integrate trusted educational resources with interactive and adaptive learning experiences.
ClassMate embodies this balance—offering verified content, AI-driven personalization, and student-centered engagement tools that enhance comprehension without sacrificing trust. By using technology to reinforce, rather than replace, core literacy skills, we can equip students with the tools they need to navigate the information-rich world with confidence and curiosity.
Ultimately, addressing adolescent literacy requires a comprehensive approach involving educators, students, and administrators working together to implement evidence-based strategies and foster a culture that values and promotes the joy of reading.
