JonesKnowledge.com and WIDS Learning Design SystemForm Strategic Alliance to Expand Educational...

Business/Technology Editors

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2000

JonesKnowledge.com and WIDS deliver innovative online solutions to

create a results-oriented e-learning experience

JonesKnowledge.com Inc., a leader in the development and deployment of e-learning

solutions for corporations and educational institutions worldwide, today announced a strategic alliance with the Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation Inc., Instructional Design and Planning Division (WIDS), a leading provider of instructional design tools, training, and consultation for business/industry, higher education, K-12, and government organizations. WIDS' selection of JonesKnowldge.com as their preferred software provider will provide educators and corporate trainers with the ability to create performance-based online education programs.

JonesKnowledge.com's e-education software provides an effective Internet-based course management solution to expand teaching beyond the scope of the traditional classroom into an online environment. The WIDS software guides users through the process of developing effective courses, programs, and organizational training using a performance-based learning framework. It can now be used as an authoring tool or "front end" for creating online courses in e-education. JonesKnowledge.com and WIDS will work to further integrate the two products for creating and delivering online learning.

"With e-education, instructors can set up learning plans and assessments, create or upload learning objects and materials, and foster interaction through chat, small groups or threaded discussion. Together, JonesKnowledge.com and WIDS can provide complete online learning solutions founded on best practices for teaching and learning," said Judy Neill, director of WIDS.

e-education software delivers a full suite of Internet education tools - backed by services such as: o Hosting on redundant servers with courses backed up every four hours; o Live 24/7 help desk for all students, instructors and administrators; o Faculty training every semester, on-site if needed.

Through an economy of scale, JonesKnowledge.com clients control staffing, bandwidth and IT costs, and avoid the typically hidden, though enormous, overhead of self-hosting an online program. e-education allows instructors to design courses for the online environment using software applications they already know. Because the user interface is personalized for each client, institutions are able to reinforce their branding across their online offerings. To date, the Jones companies have served over 170 colleges, universities, and other organizations around the world.

"This strategic alliance brings together pioneers in online learning delivery," says Heather O'Mara, president of JonesKnowledge.com. "The combination provides corporations and educational institutions two vital elements of a successful online learning solution --performance-based instructional design and state of the art course management delivery system."

About JonesKnowledge.com(TM) Inc.

Since 1987, Jones International(TM) has focused on educational pursuits such as academic and student services, distance education delivery systems, online software, and higher education content development. JonesKnowledge.com concentrates on global education and originates ways to use emerging technologies to support educators, learning institutions, corporate workplaces and life-long learners worldwide. The company currently executes its business through its subsidiaries Jones International University(TM) (JIU), the first fully online accredited university, and JonesKnowledge.com, a leader in the development and deployment of e-learning solutions for corporations and educational institutions, including its e-education(TM) software and e-global library(TM). More information about JonesKnowledge.com is available at www.jonesknowledge.com.

About WIDS Inc.

WIDS is developed, marketed, and distributed by the Instructional Design and Planning Division of the Wisconsin Technical College System Foundation Inc., a not-for-profit, non-stock corporation founded in 1977. Since 1992, WIDS has continuously developed, implemented, supported, and improved a comprehensive system for designing performance-based learning. Products include the WIDS(TM) Learning Designer Software and the Instructional Design and Planning Course on CD-ROM or videotape. WIDS also provides a talent pool of experienced designers and educators who provide professional development for teachers and trainers in Wisconsin and beyond. More information about WIDS is available at www.wids.org.