Echo360 and Cengage Learning Partner to Provide Students With Access to Classroom Engagement System, LectureTools

DULLES, VA–(Marketwired – May 27, 2014) – Echo360, the global leader in active and distance learning solutions, and Cengage Learning, a leading global educational content, software and services company, today announced a partnership that, with the purchase of a new Cengage Learning textbook as requested by their professor, provides students with a six-month subscription to the Echo360 classroom engagement product, LectureTools.

Developed by University of Michigan instructor, and Cengage Learning author, Dr. Perry Sampson, LectureTools is designed to improve student engagement by leveraging the use of a student’s smartphone, tablet or laptop. The product allows instructors and students to communicate directly by participating in polls, quizzes and other interactive sessions. Students are also able to anonymously ask questions without interrupting class and could request that the professor revisit difficult material they had a hard time digesting. Ultimately, LectureTools shrinks large classroom settings into a personable environment where professors have the rare ability to calibrate their instruction and respond to student needs, in real-time.

“LectureTools is built to leverage student devices to create a truly engaging environment that reduces distractions and improves learning,” said Fred Singer, CEO of Echo360. “Our partnership with Cengage Learning allows us to extend LectureTools into new academic communities as we expand our product availability across higher education campuses worldwide.”

Cengage currently publishes hundreds of individual titles across eight unique brands and reaches hundreds of higher education institutions. By partnering, Cengage and Echo360 further a mutual focus on classroom engagement by creating a hybrid solution that compliments digital and print learning systems.

“We are thrilled to partner with Echo360 and to introduce our customers to LectureTools,” said Pam Snow, SVP and Director of Strategic Customer Partnerships, Cengage Learning. “Cengage Learning is committed to transforming learning with tailored technology solutions that accelerate student engagement and enhance the educational experience for both faculty and students. By teaming up with innovative partners, such as Echo360, we are building upon that commitment by enhancing our world-class content with cutting-edge digital solutions. LectureTools is an easy-to-use and effective product that will prove useful to all instructors, even those who have been reluctant to use digital teaching aids in the past.”

For more information on the LectureTools product and its parent company, Echo360, visit: www.LectureTools.com or www.Echo360.com. For more information on Cengage Learning, please visit: www.cengage.com.

About Echo360:
Over 2M students in 8,000 classrooms at 600 institutions across 30 countries rely on Echo360 active learning technology to enhance their educational experience before, during and after class. Developed for educators by educators, Echo360 increases in-class participation with digital polling, provides a rich out-of-class experience by recording and publishing course instruction and delivers deep usage analytics to help instructors respond to student needs. Students revisit lectures, collaborate with peers and participate in class on smartphones, tablets and laptops, wherever, whenever they choose. Echo360 was recognized with the Product Line Strategy of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan, is CSIA-certified for outstanding customer service and was named a Visionary Vendor in Educational Technology by IT research firm Basex. Echo360 is backed by Revolution Growth led by Steve Case, Ted Leonsis and Donn Davis.

About Cengage Learning:
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, software, and services company for the K-12 and higher education, professional and library markets worldwide. The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience. Cengage Learning is headquartered in Stamford, CT and has operations in more than 20 countries around the world. For more information on Cengage Learning please visit www.cengage.com.