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

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 http://www.imsglobal.org/.

About Sonic Foundry(R), Inc.

Founded in 1991, Sonic Foundry (NASDAQ: SOFO, http://www.sonicfoundry.com) is the recognized market leader for rich media webcasting and knowledge management, providing education and training solutions and services that link an information-driven world. Based inMadison, Wisconsin, the company has received numerous awards including the 2007 Frost & Sullivan Global Market Leadership Award, Ziff Davis Media's Baseline Magazine's sixth fastest-growing software company with sales under $150 million and Deloitte's Technology Fast 500. Named a Bersin & Associates 2007 Learning Leader, Sonic Foundry's webcasting and knowledge management solutions are trusted by education institutions, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies for a variety of critical communication needs. Sonic Foundry is changing the way organizations communicate via the web and how people around the globe receive vital information needed for education, business, professional advancement and safety. Product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of Sonic Foundry, Inc. or their respective owners.

Certain statements contained in this news release regarding matters that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Because such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties pertaining to continued market acceptance for Sonic Foundry's products, its ability to succeed in capturing significant revenues from media services and/or systems, the effect of new competitors in its market, integration of acquired business and other risk factors identified from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Sonic Foundry, Inc.

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