Christa McAuliffe Academy Selects vClass to Enhance Mentoring, Group Interaction for Online Learning in the Home

Virtual Classroom Product Will Also Facilitate Tech Support, Marketing, Training

Yakima, Washington (PRWEB) July 17, 2003 -- Christa McAuliffe Academy (CMA), the premier online school for grades K-12 worldwide, announced today that it has selected vClass, a real-time education, demonstration, and collaboration environment developed by Elluminate, Inc., a leading provider of online, interactive eLearning tools and services, to add realism and dynamic interaction to its online education programs, including Spanish and French language courses. In addition, CMA will use vClass to facilitate group discussion in weekly meetings between students and mentors, provide more interactive technical support for its students, train new mentors, and market the academy at trade shows, conferences, and on their website.

While students at CMA work independently using computer courseware over the Internet, mentoring by certified teachers is a major component of the academys learning model. Each student participates in a weekly online meeting with peers and mentors that can include idea exchange, group discussion, presentations, preparation for field trips, and full-scale debates. The academy has trained its mentors to use vClass for their weekly virtual sessions with students, enabling them to provide academic assistance, counseling, guidance, encouragement, and assessment in real-time.

Once we saw vClass, we knew that it was the product we needed," said Dr. Glen Blomgren, founder and CEO of Christa McAuliffe Academy. Its important that we provide opportunities for our students and mentors to discuss and interact. We understand that its a critical piece of the learning experience, so we want to offer the very best technology, including voice over IP. It is also important that vClass works reliably with the technology our students already have at home," he added.

At Elluminate, we strongly believe in the concept of virtual schools, providing another option for parents and students who want an alternative to public education and expensive private schools," said Maurice Heiblum, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Elluminate. We are extremely pleased to be working with Christa McAuliffe Academy to help them take their online education to the next level."

About Christa McAuliffe Academy
Located in Yakima, Washington and named in honor of the teacher who died tragically in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986, Christa McAuliffe Academy is the premier online school for grades K-12 world-wide, combining basic education, traditional family values, and the best in innovative technology.

The CMA learning model emphasizes individualized instruction using Internet-based courseware, mentoring by certified teachers, group discussion and interaction, and parent involvement in the learning process. Currently, CMA has 400 students enrolled from 38 states and 15 countries, with 80% at the high school level.

About Elluminate, Inc.
Founded on experience and focused on innovation, Elluminate is a leading provider of live eLearning technology and services. The companys world-class education, demonstration and collaboration products, based on the unique Collaborative Communications Framework, help corporations and educational institutions increase productivity, reduce costs and encourage real communication, learning and understanding. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Pompano Beach, Florida, Elluminate has regional offices in Atlanta, Columbus, New York and Phoenix.

For more information, visit www.elluminate.com.

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vClass is a trademark of Elluminate, Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada.