Partnership Will Combine Interactive Learning Tools with Live and On-demand Video to Improve the Higher Education Learning Experience

TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2013 – Top Hat Monocle, a leader in technology-based classroom and homework innovations, today announced a strategic partnership with Panopto, a provider of innovative lecture capture software. The partnership will improve the learning experience within academic institutions by increasing student engagement and retention inside and outside the classroom.

Top Hat Monocle is a leader in Web-based solutions that leverage students’ mobile devices to improve learning. Compatible with all mobile and Web-enabled devices already ubiquitous on college campuses, the solution enables students to respond in real time to questions and polls posed by instructors, run interactive demonstrations, ask questions, download course notes and submit homework, among other capabilities.

When universities use Top Hat Monocle’s solutions in conjunction with Panopto, instructors will be able to record and live stream classroom video and screen content that include Top Hat Monocle polling and lesson tools. This opens up a range of new scenarios for in-class and “flipped classroom” interactivity while also improving student engagement in distance learning courses. For example, instructors will be able to:

• Record supplementary course material using Panopto, and embed a Top Hat Monocle quiz in the recording to test student understanding of the topic.
• Create a Top Hat Monocle quiz to test understanding of a topic, and then create a custom Panopto recording to further explain the topic.
• Record pre-lecture material using Panopto, and then use Top Hat Monocle in class to ensure participation and see real time results.
• Use Panopto to live broadcast a lecture that incorporates Top Hat Monocle quizzes and polling, enabling distance learning students to actively participate in the lecture.

“Top Hat Monocle believes that students deserve a classroom experience that is collaborative, dynamic and inspires curiosity,” said Mike Silagadze, co-founder and chief executive officer of Top Hat Monocle. “Our tools enable professors to improve their students’ overall attendance and performance, and by adding Panopto to our platform, we’ll help drive student engagement even after the lecture has ended.”

“Panopto and Top Hat Monocle share a vision for improving the learning experience through software that helps teachers focus on teaching while improving student engagement, retention, and academic achievement,” said Eric Burns, co-founder and chief product officer of Panopto. “We’re thrilled to partner with an innovative leader in this space to bring our shared vision to universities around the globe.”

About Top Hat Monocle
Top Hat Monocle, headquartered in Toronto and with offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Sydney, is the leading mobile classroom participation provider, making the classroom experience more engaging, rewarding and effective for instructors and students at over 250 universities worldwide. For more information, visithttp://www.tophatmonocle.com