eClassroom and TERC Partner to Advance Research Efforts in K-12 Online Education
DENVER and Cambridge, MA – April 28, 2004 – eClassroom(SM), the K-12 division of eCollege(SM) [Nasdaq: ECLG], and TERC, a leading education research and development organization, today announced a partnership that will advance research efforts in K-12 online education and increase the flexibility, reach, and effectiveness of TERC’s online programs.
“We are delighted to partner with TERC as we explore new ways in which we can best serve the evolving needs of the online learning community,” said Oakleigh Thorne, chairman and CEO of eCollege. “TERC has a long history of developing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and we believe that its expertise, coupled with our experience in building and supporting successful virtual schools, can produce the research and products K-12 educators need.”
TERC and eClassroom are working together to develop applications that support the use of inquiry as a learning tool, with the goal of improved eLearning applications and practices in mathematics, science and technology. Potential research collaboration efforts will focus on topics that enhance the eLearning experience, such as student collection and analysis of real-world data, data visualization for exploratory data analysis, and greater course accessibility for students from a variety of backgrounds. Additionally, TERC and eClassroom will jointly work on various education industry advisory boards and events to share their insight and research findings.
Beyond R&D initiatives, the partnership also provides an avenue to increase access to TERC’s math, science and technology educational materials and professional development programs. TERC will deliver many of its existing and future online materials, as well as its master’s program for middle school science teachers, through the eClassroom platform.
“We look forward to working with eClassroom on several levels to continue to advance the online learning experience for teachers and students,” said Dennis Bartels, president of TERC. “eClassroom is one of the pioneers of eLearning, with one of the most flexible platforms for advanced developers. eCollege’s leadership position will further allow TERC to increase its reach and to explore more effective ways to deliver inquiry-based math, technology and science education online.”
About TERC
TERC is a not-for-profit education research and development organization in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since 1965, TERC’s mission has been to improve math, science, and technology teaching and learning. TERC works at the edges of current theory and practice to contribute to the understanding of learning and teaching, foster professional development, develop applications of new technologies, create curricula and other products, and support school reform. For more information, please visit www.terc.edu
About eClassroom
eClassroom, the K-12 division of eCollege [Nasdaq: ECLG], supports school districts and state departments of education in providing complete virtual schools. The eClassroom solution consists of the five key components to create and support virtual school success, including planning, course creation and delivery, teacher development, administrator support and student support. Customers include the Kentucky Virtual High School; Illinois Virtual High School; and Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest school district in Georgia. For more information, please visit www.eClassroom.com.
This news release contains statements that are not historical in nature and that may be characterized as “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws, including those statements relating to the success of: (i) our programs, (ii) research and collaboration efforts with TERC, (iii) TERC’s programs, and (iv) our relationship with TERC. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks. Actual results may differ materially. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our clients’ ability to achieve successful online programs, our network infrastructure and computer systems failing, the vulnerability of our network to security risks, and such other factors as are discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which you are encouraged to review in connection with this release. We believe that these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. We are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.
eCollege and eClassroom are service marks of eCollege. All other trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.
