Brainshark and Questionmark Form Partnership to Integrate Robust Online Assessments with eLearning Content

For Immediate Release

Brainshark and Questionmark Form Partnership to Integrate Robust Online Assessments with eLearning Content

STAMFORD, CT - January 6, 2003 - Testing and assessment software supplier Questionmark and Brainshark, Inc., a provider of self-service rich-media communications solutions, today announced a strategic partnership that gives Brainshark™ customers access to the robust testing capabilities of Questionmark™ Perception™.

Under a new partnership agreement between the two companies, users of the Brainshark Communications Platform™ can utilize Perception's tools to create and deploy tests and quizzes, and report on assessments.

"This provides a very easy way for companies to integrate assessments within their online courses and important communications," said Questionmark President Eric Shepherd. "Individuals who view a Brainshark rich-media presentation can then automatically be launched to the corresponding assessment to test their knowledge." Offering Perception's testing capabilities as an integrated part of the Brainshark application offers Brainshark users a means of authoring online tests even if they have no programming skills. 

• Question wizards make it easy to write questions in a variety of formats including true/false, multiple choice, multiple response, fill-in-the-blank, and more.
• Perception users can categorize question banks into topics and sub-topics from which to assemble tests and surveys. They can shuffle questions and answers for each participant and preview assessments to see how they will appear when deployed.
• Like Brainshark, Questionmark Perception is available as a hosted service, so customers do not have to install any hardware.
• Robust reporting capabilities provide statistics in a variety of formats and gives course providers the information they need to improve course content and assessment questions.
• Branching capabilities enable users to be routed to additional rich-media content based on their score on an assessment. For example, those who achieve a passing score may be brought to a URL that contains more advanced learning content.
• Reporting data about both content viewing and assessment results can be integrated into an LMS using AICC reporting standards. 

"Our clients have a range of assessment requirements, and our product provides the flexibility to integrate the type of testing that is appropriate for their needs," said Joe Gustafson, CEO of Brainshark. "This partnership allows us to offer best-of breed assessment authoring for customers who are using Brainshark to train their employees and channel partners. 

Access to Questionmark Perception is sold as an added option to a Brainshark Communications Platform license and is currently available. 

About Questionmark: 
Questionmark has been producing testing and assessment software since 1988, enabling educators and trainers to write, administer, and report on tests and surveys securely using individual PCs, local networks, the Internet, and intranets. Perception users can categorize their question banks into topics and sub-topics from which to assemble tests and surveys. They can shuffle questions and answers for each participant and preview assessments to see how they will appear post-deployment. They can present questions with videos, graphics and a wide variety of styles. Participants receive feedback as specified by the author. Answers are saved to an encrypted file for scoring and analysis in a variety of report formats.

Businesses, governments, schools, colleges, and universities in more than 50 countries use Questionmark software. Typical applications include exams, quizzes, study aids, diagnostic tests, pre-course skills assessments, and course evaluations. Questionmark has offices in the United States, England, and Belgium, with distributors worldwide. Complete information is available at www.questionmark.com. 

About Brainshark, Inc. 
Brainshark, Inc. is the leading provider of rich-media solutions that enable companies to communicate business knowledge quickly and consistently. The Brainshark Communications Platform empowers the average business professional to create, manage, and share on-demand presentations that combine voice, text, graphics, and business documents. With its enterprise-class content management, security, and standards-based API's, Brainshark is the choice of global companies to communicate faster and more effectively with their employees, customers and partners. Companies are increasing revenue and reducing cost using Brainshark solutions for sales, marketing, training, and corporate communications. For more information, visit www.brainshark.com.

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