IMS Global Learning Consortium Awards Villanova University and Sonic Foundry "Learning Impact Leader" for Lecture Capture with Mediasite

MADISON, Wis. - Sonic Foundry, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFO), the recognized market leader for rich media webcasting and knowledge management, is pleased to announce that Villanova University's College of Engineering has been recognized with a Learning Impact Leadership Award by the IMS Global Learning Consortium for its lecture capture program via Mediasite. The Learning Impact Awards (LIAs) honor the use of technology to improve learning across all industry segments and in all regions of the world.

Villanova's College of Engineering, represented by Sean O'Donnell, Director of Distance Education, was one of 23 finalists evaluated recently by an expert panel of judges at the IMS annual Learning Impact conference and Summit on Global Learning Industry Challenges.

Since deploying Mediasite five years ago to record, catalog and stream graduate courses online, the College of Engineering has significantly grown the program's reach and visibility. What started as a small, regional graduate program has since expanded to reach 35 states and four countries, and enrollment has increased 50 percent. Not only has the College successfully improved student achievement by raising GPAs, lowering the class dropout rate and reducing failures, the system also generates an additional $800,000 in graduate tuition each year. This incremental revenue finances enhanced learning facilities that are now utilized by every program on campus.

"Using Mediasite has allowed us to reach our full potential in the online learning world. As the backbone of our delivery method, the technology provides us with the ability to educate engineers at the highest level," said O'Donnell. "Further, it permits us to do it in ways that actually enhance the quality of instruction we deliver."

The LIA awards are unique in that they recognize the use of technology in context. Nominations include not only information about technology solutions but also how that technology is used by an educational or training organization. In addition, the entries are evaluated according to eight criteria of impact, including improving access to learning, improving affordability of learning and improving the quality of learning.

"We are proud of what Villanova has accomplished in advancing the quality of learning for students, as well as improving comprehension and anytime access to knowledge using Mediasite," said Rimas Buinevicius, chairman and CEO of Sonic Foundry. "This award illustrates the paradigm shift in teaching methods, and what can be accomplished with the thoughtful integration of lecture capture technology in today's on-site and online classrooms."

To learn more about Villanova's program, visit http://engineering.villanova.edu/distanceed.

About IMS Global Learning Consortium
IMS Global Learning is a global, nonprofit, member organization that strives to enable the growth and impact of learning technology in the education and corporate learning sectors worldwide. IMS GLC members provide leadership in shaping and growing the learning industry through community development of standards, promotion of innovation, and research into adoption practices. For more information, including the world's most comprehensive set of learning technology interoperability standards, information on the annual Learning Impact conference and awards program, and free community resources for learning technology leaders, visit www.imsglobal.org/.