NYKØBING, Denmark--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), the global leader in open, standards-based unified communications and collaboration (UC&C), today announced that Danish education provider VUC Storstrøm has been recognized at the 2013 International Distance Learning Awards for its innovative project that uses video collaboration technology from Polycom to provide remote education to 5,000 adult students. VUC Storstrøm’s Global Classroom program, a silver award winner in the category ‘Best Practices for Distance Learning Programming,’ enables adult students who did not complete school to finish their degree and learn new skills by attending virtual lessons, making themselves more employable.
The International Distance Learning Awards, annually hosted by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), acknowledges major accomplishments in the field of distance learning. It recognizes programs and professionals who have achieved extraordinary results through the use of online, video conferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies.
VUC Storstrøm, often referred to as the ‘second chance’ program, is one of 30 adult education centers in Denmark helping students fill in gaps in their education and ultimately improving their employment prospects. Faced with the challenges of providing students from rural areas with easy access to its courses and increasing enrollment in undersubscribed classes, VUC launched its Global Classroom program. The program gives students the option to attend virtual lessons from anywhere, including their nearest VUC center.
For this initiative, VUC chose Polycom® HDX® Series room video solutions, with multipoint connections implemented via the Polycom® RealPresence® Collaboration Server (RMX) – part of the Polycom® RealPresence® Platform. Thanks to Polycom video collaboration software, teachers can continue to conduct their lessons in the traditional classroom environment, while students can join the classes online, from any location. To participate, students simply download Polycom® RealPresence® Desktop video software onto their personal computer and enjoy secure, HD-quality desktop video collaboration with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.
“We are very proud to receive this prestigious award,” said Flemming Neilsen, Project Manager responsible for the Global Classroom program at VUC Storstrøm. “As an education provider, we wanted to make sure that everyone who wants to improve their skills has equal access to our classes. With Polycom RealPresence video collaboration solutions, we’ve managed to achieve this goal and attract students who would otherwise be unable to attend due to their location or other commitments.”
To enable more adults to take advantage of distance learning, VUC Storstrøm is currently in discussions to extend the Global Classroom initiative to other VUC centers across Denmark.
About VUC Storstrøm
VUC Storstrøm is one of 30 adult education centres in Denmark providing students with the opportunity to improve their educational skills and ultimately, employment prospects. Often referred to as the ‘second chance programme’, VUC Storstrøm is based in the region of Zealand and comprised of five campuses, 180 teachers and 5,000 students.
About USDLA International Distance Learning Awards
The United States Distance Learning Association’s International Distance Learning Awards are the premier awards for the distance learning industry. Presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs, the Awards acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements through the use of online, video conferencing, and satellite/video delivery technologies globally.
About Polycom Usage in Education Industry
The top 10 universities worldwide and the top 10 in the U.S. use Polycom® RealPresence® voice and video solutions. Polycom provides rich, interactive visual solutions that improve all facets of education—from student administration to course development to curriculum delivery to content management. RealPresence video solutions and tailored education programs and content make rich blended learning a reality even for the most challenged budgets, giving teachers the tools to engage students with more interactive and innovative educational experiences.
About Polycom
Polycom is the global leader in open, standards-based unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) solutions for voice and video collaboration, trusted by more than 415,000 customers around the world. Polycom solutions are powered by the Polycom® RealPresence® Platform, comprehensive software infrastructure and rich APIs that interoperate with the broadest set of communication, business, mobile and cloud applications and devices to deliver secure face-to-face video collaboration in any environment. Polycom and its ecosystem of over 7,000 partners provide truly unified communications solutions that deliver the best user experience, highest multi-vendor interoperability, and lowest TCO. Visit www.polycom.com or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn how we’re pushing the greatness of human collaboration forward.
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