Tegrity Announces WebLearner Version 4.5 With Support For Microsoft Windows Media Player for Macintosh

Business Wire, May 25, 2000

Business Editors, Technology Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2000

Now Online Learners Using PCs and Macs Can Benefit From Tegrity's

Classroom-based Web Authoring Solution

Tegrity today announced that its WebLearner version 4.5 will include support for the Microsoft Windows Media Player for Macintosh operating systems. Tegrity worked together with Microsoft Corp. to develop this solution to better serve educators and trainers who require cross-platform access for their online students.

Microsoft's new beta version of the Windows Media Player for Macintosh runs inside Tegrity(TM) WebLearner version 4.5, a classroom-based authoring system that enables the timely, cost-effective creation of compelling, multimedia, Web-based teaching and learning content. With WebLearner version 4.5, educators can easily capture in-class lessons - complete with whiteboard writing and pointing, 3-D objects, Internet content, Microsoft PowerPoint slides and audio and video delivered through Windows Media Player - and post them to the Web for anytime, anywhere playback by students, parents and other educators.

"Microsoft is proud to work with Tegrity to expand the opportunities teachers have to learn how to best use technology to improve student learning," said Kevin Unangst, group product manager, Digital Media Division, Microsoft Corp. "Tools like WebLearner 4.5, combined with the high quality audio and video technology of Windows Media, change the dynamics of education and enable a much richer interaction between students and educators."

Tegrity's collaboration with Microsoft is one way that the companies are helping to build Connected Learning Communities, enriched learning environments where technology enhances and expands opportunities for learning. WebLearner version 4.5 and Windows Media Player for the Macintosh give educators access to easy-to-use tools that extend the value of in-class lessons by making a single lesson -- or even a whole series of lessons -- immediately accessible over the Internet. With this technology, educators and students can truly learn any time, any place from a Macintosh or PC, whether at home or at school.

"We appreciate Microsoft's assistance in our development effort, which ensures that Macintosh users will benefit equally from our online learning technologies," said Daniel Platzker, president and CEO of Tegrity. "Many of our customers record online, standards-based curriculum content for teacher training, and cross-platform access is critical for them."

As access to classroom technology skyrockets, many teachers are still looking for the training opportunities and resources that will help them develop the skills for making technology an integral learning tool in their classrooms. WebLearner 4.5 provides teachers with an easy, cost-effective method of capturing the teaching methods of exemplary teachers. Lessons can be archived individually or as an entire course, available for access any time via the Internet and a Macintosh or PC.

"Tegrity WebLearner 4.5 will be a great addition to our Internet-related staff development tools," said Judy Powers, manager of technology and curriculum at the Santa Clara County Office of Education. "Now that WebLearner sessions can be viewed through Windows Media Player on a Macintosh or a PC, our teachers have more opportunities than ever to participate in a professional development session -- they can do it from work or at home, whatever works best for them."

Colleges and universities are also using WebLearner 4.5 for distance learning courses and to supplement traditional courses with online multimedia content. Tammy Younts, clinical instructor of curriculum and instruction at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., is using WebLearner to produce Early Literacy and Learning content modules for her School of Education students.

"Tegrity WebLearner and Microsoft Office help me easily produce multimedia online content right from my classroom," said Younts. "There is also the added benefit that our students become familiar with instructional technologies that will better prepare them for their teaching careers."

About Tegrity

Tegrity, Inc. based in San Jose, Calif., was founded in 1995 to develop software tools and services to facilitate online learning and incorporate new technologies into traditional classroom settings. Today, Tegrity's patented technology is changing the face of education by providing a bridge between traditional, classroom-based education and web-based learning. Tegrity(TM) WebLearner is a complete solution on a mobile cart with all the basic technologies needed for both classroom and Web-based learning, and Tegrity software is integrated with Microsoft Office and Windows Media. Additional information about Tegrity and sample recorded lessons can be found at www.tegrity.com.