Penn State University World Campus Selects Elluminate's vClass Collaboration Environment for the Delivery of the New Distance Education iMBA Degree

Business Wire, Oct 7, 2002

Business Editors/Technology & Education Writers

POMPANO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2002

vClass(TM) Used for Delivery of Real-Time Education

Elluminate, an innovative provider of online, interactive, eLearning products and services, today announced that Penn State University World Campus has selected Elluminate's vClass(TM) collaboration environment to support the delivery of its new distance education iMBA degree. In conjunction with the Angel Learning Management System and Penn State's World Campus course template, vClass will support the synchronous segments of each course.

"After reviewing several collaboration software tools we felt that vClass was the most appropriate for the support of synchronous events in online distance education environments," said Rick Shearer, Assistant Director ID&D. "vClass was one of the few products that had a well developed voice over IP component and worked seamlessly with both the Macintosh and Windows computer platforms."

vClass will allow Penn State's faculty to hold virtual office hours, interact in real-time with students on assignments, and provide a means of presenting just-in-time course material to small groups. Additionally, by using vClass's voice over IP, Penn State students are able to complete the online iMBA program without the need of installing a cable modem or second telephone line.

vClass enables the delivery of live, online learning, training, and meeting over the Internet by engaging participants with the ability to talk over the Internet (with full, 2-way audio), chat online, share whiteboards and share applications--all in one intuitive, easy to use, graphical interface.

About Elluminate

Elluminate (http://www.elluminate.com) is an innovative provider of online, interactive eLearning technology products and services that enhance student learning and employee productivity. With vClass, a world-class virtual classroom technology, vTutor(TM) and vMentor(TM) services, corporations and educational institutions can increase productivity, reduce costs and help students and employees excel in their pursuits.

About Penn State University World Campus

Penn State is a recognized leader in on-line education and has more than 100 years of experience in delivering distance education. First delivered to farmers via the rural free delivery system in 1892, today more than 23,000 students enroll in Distance Education programs annually at Penn State. The World Campus is a University-wide, technology-based delivery initiative that is extending some of Penn State's signature academic programs to learners around the world. The World Campus creates a distance learning environment where students and faculty, separated by time zones and continents, can learn together through information technology, providing access to the University's finest academic resources. It brings together the expertise of renowned faculty members, learner support services, and resources such as library access, orientation, registration and records, advising, logistics, assessment, career services, and informal learning and social opportunities structured to meet the needs of today's busy adult learner. For more information you can visit the web site at http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/