Echo360 Appoints Dr. Alan Merten to Board of Advisors

DULLES, VA--(Marketwired - May 14, 2013) - Echo360, the global leader in active and distance learning solutions, announced today that Dr. Alan G. Merten, President Emeritus of George Mason University, has joined the company as a strategic advisor. Dr. Merten will serve as a liaison between Echo360 and university leaders and will facilitate a dialogue on how educational technology enhances teaching and learning. 

Dr. Merten will raise awareness among university presidents as to why active learning solutions need to be at the forefront of a university's technology plan. Research demonstrates that active learning improves learning outcomes through interaction, debate and in-class activities. Echo360 creates an active learning environment with digital engagement tools, social collaboration and lecture recordings outside of class.

"I am honored to engage with my peers in a proactive discussion about the use of technology as a remedy for many of the challenges facing our colleges and universities today," said Dr. Alan Merten, President Emeritus of George Mason University and Echo360 Advisor. "The feedback will help Echo360 build on its proven active learning solution and open doors for more institutions to address critical teaching and learning issues."

In 1996, Dr. Merten took the reins at George Mason University and, over the next 16 years, served as a change agent who propelled the university into the national and international spotlight. Under his guidance, the school experienced a significant enrollment increase, boosted its academic and admission standards, and completed the institution's first capital campaign. 

"Echo360 was created for educators by educators, and we are honored that Dr. Merten will leverage his distinguished record as a lifelong teacher and academic leader to help universities identify solutions for the complicated problems facing them," said Fred Singer, Echo360 CEO. 

"Dr. Merten is an innovator that knows how to tackle big on-campus problems with creative solutions," commented Dr. John Casteen, President Emeritus of the University of Virginia and Echo360 board member. "He will influence how technology helps university leaders solve the next-generation of education challenges." 

About Echo360

Nearly two million students in 6,000 classrooms at 500 institutions in 30 countries rely on Echo360 active learning technology to enhance their educational experience before, during and after class. Developed for educators by educators, Echo360 increases in-class participation with digital polling, provides a rich out-of-class experience by recording and sharing course instruction, and delivers deep usage analytics to help instructors gauge student progress in a course. Students watch, collaborate and participate on smartphones, tablets and laptops, wherever, whenever they choose. Echo360 was recognized with the Product Line Strategy of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan, is CSIA-certified for outstanding customer service, and was named a Visionary Vendor in Educational Technology by IT research firm Basex. Echo360 is backed by Revolution Growth led by Steve Case, Ted Leonsis and Donn Davis.