eCornell Selects WebCT As e-Learning Platform For New Online Continuing Education Program

WebCT (www.webct.com), the world’s leading provider of integrated e-learning systems for higher education, today announced that eCornell, the wholly owned online learning subsidiary of Cornell University, has selected WebCT as the platform for its new online Human Resources Studies certificate program, which draws upon the expertise of Cornell University’s world-renowned School of Industrial and Labor Relations. eCornell’s deployment of WebCT will begin on November 1st, when the first class in the program, Human Resources and the Law, gets underway. WebCT executives made the announcement here today at EDUCAUSE 2001, higher education’s largest annual e-learning conference.

eCornell joins WebCT’s global customer network of more than 2,200 institutional customers using higher education’s #1 course management system. Under the terms of the agreement, WebCT will provide eCornell with a complete course management solution, including a WebCT 3.6 Campus Edition license, hosting services, implementation consulting, tech support and faculty and administration training.

WebCT’s product flexibility and robust feature set, combined with the company’s proven leadership in the higher education e-learning market, led eCornell to select WebCT. John Wolf, eCornell’s chief technology officer (CTO), and Noni Vidal, program director, conducted the evaluation process that culminated in the decision to license WebCT 3.6 Campus Edition.

“eCornell aims to take online education to an entirely new level, by combining the best possible curriculum with the best possible technology,” said CTO Wolf. “We already had the curriculum, but we needed the technology. That’s why eCornell selected WebCT to ‘power’ our new online Human Resources Studies certificate program. It’s the ‘gold standard’ in higher education e-learning technology.”

“WebCT is pleased and honored that eCornell selected WebCT as the e-learning platform to build its new online Human Resources Studies certificate program,” said Carol A. Vallone, president and chief executive officer of WebCT. “Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations is the world leader in its field. We look forward to working in partnership with eCornell to develop and implement a rich online learning environment that breaks down barriers of time and geography, to bring the best of this outstanding institution to learners around the globe, anytime, anywhere.”

Leveraging Cornell University’s faculty at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, eCornell will work with WebCT to develop courseware to teach concepts and applications using case studies, interactive exercises, simulations, role-playing scenarios and multi-media presentations. Courses set to debut over the next few months include: Human Resources and the Law; Fundamentals of Employee Benefits, Selection and Staffing; Fundamentals of Compensation; Building and Managing Employee Relations; and Performance Appraisal and Management.

About WebCT

WebCT is the world’s leading provider of integrated e-learning systems for higher education. More than 2,200 colleges and universities worldwide are using WebCT’s products and services to transform the educational experience of their students. Consortia in 16 American states, four Canadian provinces, two Australian territories, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and the Consortium of Distance Education have licensed WebCT for their member institutions, making it the de facto standard in higher education. More information about WebCT can be found at www.webct.com.

About eCornell

eCornell was founded in September 2000 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cornell University. eCornell was designed to leverage the best of Cornell University’s proven executive development programs in a convenient, easy-to-access online format. Initially, eCornell will offer courses from the Hospital for Special Surgery at Weill Medical College, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations and the School of Hotel Administration. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ecornell.com or call 1-800-ecornell.