eCollege(SM) Partners With Tata Interactive Systems
DENVER – May 21, 2003 – eCollege(SM) [Nasdaq: ECLG], a leading provider of technology and services for online higher education programs, is helping institutions enhance online offerings with dynamic, real-world business simulations developed by Tata Interactive Systems (TIS), one of the world’s largest custom eLearning development companies. The partnership enables faculty to incorporate simulations into their online courses, thereby enabling students to more actively learn and apply their knowledge through a hands-on approach.
“Engaging students through TIS’ real-life applications will challenge them to be creative and resourceful in their thinking, which better prepares them for the kind of analytical problem solving they will face in their careers,” said Oakleigh Thorne, chairman and CEO of eCollege. “By helping institutions integrate a variety of resources into their online programs, they can provide a learning experience that facilitates increased interaction and improved student achievement.”
TIS’s SimBLs (Simulation Based Learning Objects) are self-contained units of eLearning content designed to teach specific concepts to students through knowledge application. The simulations are designed for academia, and create a virtual environment of the real world with multiple decision paths for students to test their knowledge. The simulations can be used in a standalone mode or combined with other online content. Teaching tips also accompany each simulation to help faculty most effectively use the content.
“As one of the world’s largest custom course content developers for over ten years, we have observed students learning more efficiently, retaining knowledge over a longer period of time, and demonstrating behavioral changes when given an opportunity to engage in a case study setting that simulates real-life situations,” said Manoj Kutty, senior vice president, North America & Generic Products, Tata Interactive Systems. “By leveraging eCollege’s comprehensive solution, which already provides the technology and support needed to drive high student satisfaction, we can more effectively contribute to a student’s overall success.”
Currently, more than 30 SimBLs are available, covering different areas of Business Management, including Economics, Financial Management, Accounting, Marketing, e-Business, Statistics, Operations, Human Resources, Organizational Behavior and other management courses. Another 30 business-focused simulations will be released in July, with an additional 200 simulations, including IT, Healthcare and Law, planned for this fall. TIS also offers customizable simulations depending on an institution’s unique content or discipline specific needs.
Through this partnership with TIS, eCollege is continuing to build its portfolio of digital and interactive content. For more information about using the TIS simulations, please contact information@eCollege.com.
About Tata Interactive Systems
Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) is one of the world’s largest custom eLearning development organizations. It is part of the Tata group, one of the largest business houses in India, employing over 330,000 people and accounting for more than two per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP).
TIS’ mission is ‘to change the way the world learns by providing innovative, effective and enjoyable leaning experiences.’ Its services include: building eLearning solutions for customers ranging from the K-12 schools to universities, corporates, and continuing education bodies; creating learning portals; and courseware creation, courseware conversion and developing education products. It focuses on developing high quality products, and using mature systems and processes.
Apart from holding ISO 9001 certification, TIS is one of the first companies providing custom-built eLearning solutions to be assessed at level 5 on the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) scale. TIS’ products have won numerous awards, including gold awards from BIMA, the Personnel Today eLearning Award in 2001, along with a BETT Award in 2002.
About eCollege
eCollege [Nasdaq: ECLG] is a leading eLearning technology and services provider to educational markets. The Company designs, builds and supports some of the most successful, fully online degree, certificate/diploma and professional development programs in the country. eCollege’s customers include publicly-traded for-profit institutions, community colleges, public and private universities, school districts, and state departments of education. The Company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Denver. For more information, visit www.eCollege.com.
eCollege is a service mark of eCollege. All other trademarks and service marks or registered trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners.
