Question Mark and Fretwell-Downing

For Immediate Release

Question Mark and Fretwell-Downing 
Announce Product Integration Using SCORM

"Perception" and "le" systems linked using SCORM

STAMFORD, CT - March 27, 2001 - Fretwell-Downing Education (FDE), part of the Fretwell-Downing Group and developer of the le™ managed learning environment, has formed a strategic partnership with Question Mark, the leading provider of testing and assessment software. As part of the partnership, the two companies have created an integrated solution that combines the strengths of FDE's pedagogical and management system, le, with the online testing capabilities of Question Mark™ Perception™.

The link between the systems is one of the first to use the latest AICC run-time API approach as used by ADL SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model), a framework that defines a web-based learning "content model". SCORM is designed to unify the current crop of emerging standards into a single reference model. As such it has been backed by most of the leading standards organisations including IEEE and AICC. SCORM V1.1 was released on January 16, 2001 (www.adlnet.org).

FDE le delivers learning materials via the Internet. It meets both pedagogical and management information system needs to provide a powerful online learning solution. Learners' progression through their program, from application to learning outcome, is fully tracked. Learning materials can be delivered direct to the learner's home, workplace, or outreach center, so that they can learn in their own place, at their own pace.

Question Mark Perception enables educators and trainers to write, administer and report on assessments via PCs, local area networks, the Internet and intranets. It includes comprehensive security functions calculated to make testing in online environments safer than ever before. A wide-ranging reporting system provides educators with powerful information to improve their assessments and training.

Commented FDE Marketing Director Liz Wallis: " It's important for us to be able to offer a package that includes state-of-the-art assessment to enable learning materials to be delivered conditionally upon test results anyplace, anytime. It means that assessments can be fired and results recorded within the le framework to build a complete picture of the student's progress. This has enabled us to offer a powerful 'best of breed' solution to both our existing and new clients in the education sector."

Question Mark President Eric Shepherd said: "Linking to le demonstrates our ability to execute agreements and to deploy products worldwide. The integration of Perception with le is one of the first practical applications of SCORM and demonstrates Question Mark's commitment to international standards."

About Question Mark
Question Mark 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. Question Mark Perception's easy-to-use authoring tool allows users to import and build powerful questions and assessments quickly. Secure delivery and powerful reports with a variety of reporting systems provide accurate results where and when they are needed. Businesses, governments, schools, colleges, and universities in more than 45 countries use Question Mark software. The company is actively involved with the IMS Global Learning Consortium and supports open standards. For more information, visit http://www.questionmark.com or call (800) 863-3950.

About FDE
Fretwell-Downing Education (FDE) Ltd is a provider of quality assured IT solutions and expert services to the education sector. FDE specializes in the development and implementation of student management and e-learning support systems for post-16 education and training. The company's solutions are applicable to individual institutions, to consortia and to web portals. FDE has developed and is supporting the e-business solution at the heart of one of the largest distance learning undertakings in the world: the University for Industry's learndirect service. The company has taken a market leading position in adopting open standards and actively participates in the major learning technology standards bodies (IMS, IEEE, ADL). FDE is part of the Fretwell-Downing Group of companies with an education and training client base that includes over 160 organisations from Australia to North America serving millions of learners. The company has been in the post-16 education systems market since 1982. For more information, visit http://www.fdgroup.com/fde.

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