Poly

St. Louis, MO and Pleasanton, CA - May 10, 2011 : The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented a 2011 International Distance Learning Award to Polycom, a global leader in unified communications (UC), at its 2011 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. USDLA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association, founded in 1987, as the nation's leading distance learning organization. The association reaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46 percent of the $913 billion dollar U.S. education and training market.

 

These prestigious USDLA Awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs. Included in the recognition ceremony were awards for 21st Century Best Practice, Best Practice for Distance Learning Programming, Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Outstanding Leadership by an Individual, Hall of Fame, and Eagle Awards.

 

The USDLA presented Polycom with the 21st Century Best Practice Award for Distance Learning in the Telepresence – Corporate category for its work in the field of distance learning video conferencing curriculum through its Polycom Special Events program. Designed to leverage the power of multi-way, interactive UC to enrich the educational experience, Polycom offers a wide selection of programs to help educators get involved and make the most of their video conferencing systems by delivering a broad range of free, high-quality distance learning content such as virtual field trips and expert guest speakers, as well as professional development for teachers. To learn more about Polycom's Special Events, visit: http://www.polycom.com/events.

 

Polycom also supports distance learning through a unique professional networking tool for educators called Polycom® Collaborations Around the Planet (CAPspace). The CAPspace tool supports events like Read Around the Planet, a free, international video conferencing event designed to promote reading and the opportunities for classroom collaborations sponsored by Polycom and Two-Way Interactive Connections in Education (TWICE), Michigan's K-12 video conference organization. The 2011 event gave hundreds of schools their first experience with UC and involved more than 45,000 students in six countries. In addition, Polycom offers a grant assistance and E-rate information program to help schools find funding for new equipment. To learn more about Polycom's education solutions, visit: http://www.polycom.com/solutions/industry/education.

 

"As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we are honoring Polycom as a leader in the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, executive director of USDLA. "Polycom has raised the bar of excellence and we are truly honored by Polycom contributions to the distance learning industry."

 

The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, video conferencing, satellite, and blended learning delivery technologies.

 

"Congratulations to Polycom and every one of this year's award winners. USDLA takes great pride and responsibility in recognizing excellence and quality that benefit the entire industry. Through distance learning, education, and training we can provide access to the world's best award-winning opportunities for school children, connect higher education students globally, and transform the lives and careers of working adults. We are truly on the edge of something great and these winners clearly demonstrate and confirm the transformative powers of distance learning globally," said Dr. Denzil Edge, president of USDLA.

 

"Polycom's Special Events program has had a profound impact on students in classrooms around the world," said Susan Hayden, Polycom executive vice president. "It is an honor to receive this award and help bring classrooms a continent apart together through unified communications to foster global awareness and break down the barriers of distance. We are also thrilled that two of our customers, Vermont Intractive Television and Dr. John D. Scott of the University of Washington Hepatitis and Liver Clinic, were also honored for their work."

 

Vermont Interactive Television won in the 21st Century Best Practice Videoconference – Institutional category, while Dr. Scott was awarded the Bronze for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching. For more information, visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8365283.htm.

 

Reggie Smith III, chair of the USDLA Board of Directors noted that, "This year's award winners represent many of the most innovative leaders in the field of distance learning." He continued, "I also look forward to seeing Polycom again during National Distance Learning Week (http://www.ndlw.org), November 7-11, 2011."