CompuTaught Provides Live Online Advanced Appraisal Courses

STAMFORD, Conn., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CompuTaught, part of Cengage Learning and a leading developer of computer-based real estate education, today unveiled a new series of live, instructor-led, advanced appraisal courses that will be offered online via WebEx.  

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The new online courses feature CompuTaught's standard online registration, administration and learning management support systems while combining real-time instruction with WebEx's synchronous, interactive delivery, bringing a live classroom experience to the student's personal computer.  These live, online appraisal courses have gained both International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC) and Appraiser Qualification Board (AQB) approval and will be delivered in accordance with individual state regulations.  

With all of the features of an onsite classroom and more, the courses feature a virtual classroom environment with audio, video, screen and document sharing, chat and other interactive elements, with instant access to required course materials. To aid with testing and engagement, the classes also include incremental assessment exams which are reviewed live by the instructors to ensure understanding. Courses include random individual student inquiries throughout the duration to verify student identity and engagement. In addition, students receive information on scheduling the proctored final exam for the course (if required).

"Moving through this digital age, the traditional classroom is shifting and a recent growth in online education is giving us the opportunity to transform the way we teach and deliver content," said Dave Shaut, vice president, CompuTaught. "These new live courses combine the trusted reliability of our computer-based real estate and appraisal education with the convenience of live instruction. We strive to continually evolve with our ever-changing customers and provide them with the most convenient and cost effective ways to work toward their real estate and appraisal education goals."

The first course to be introduced, Statistics, Modeling and Finance, will be offered on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8.  The course will be led by Certified General Real Estate Appraisers and award-winning instructors Mark A. Munizzo and Lisa Virruso Musial. This course comes at an important time for the industry, as Bradford Technologies' Appraisal Industry Predictions for 2011 indicate that certified residential appraisers and other real estate professionals are searching for courses on statistics, applied regression and advanced valuation skills to stay current or advance their career. As CompuTaught builds its catalog of advanced appraisal courses offered online, the following classes will become available in coming months:

• General Report Writing and Case Studies
• Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies
• General Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use
• General Sales Comparison Approach
• General Site Valuation and Cost Approach
• General Income Approach

"As the first to offer live, online, advanced-level appraisal courses, CompuTaught is continuing to establish itself as a pioneer in distance learning for the real estate professions," said Bud Hunsucker, vice president, business development and school operations, CompuTaught.  "These courses will give appraisers and real estate professionals easy access to a quality education by covering topics that are hard to find locally, helping to advance the careers of its students."

"Many students operate under the false impression that online learning is inferior to a traditional classroom," said Sam Martin, educator, certified appraiser and creator of samthetutor.com. "In fact, according to a recent white paper from the U.S. Department of Education, online courses are just as effective as conventional classroom instruction, proving these new courses from CompuTaught as a convenient and interactive alternative for students who are seeking state approved education."

For more information on the new courses, CompuTaught's Educational Referral Network program or other online or computer-based courses offered, please visit www.computaught.com or www.cengage.com.

About CompuTaught

CompuTaught, part of Cengage Learning, is a market leader in the computer-based real estate learning market. In 1989, CompuTaught was the first in the country to offer state-approved real estate licensing courses on computer and continues to be the leading developer of computer-based education for the real estate and appraisal professions.  It currently distributes its courses through more than 300 independent schools, with about 50,000 enrollments annually.  For more information on CompuTaught, please visit www.computaught.com.

About Cengage Learning

Cengage Learning is a leading provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. The company's products and services are designed to foster academic excellence and professional development, increase student engagement and improve learning outcomes. Cengage Learning's brands include Heinle, Gale, Wadsworth, Delmar, Brooks/Cole and South-Western, among others. For more information on Cengage Learning please visit www.cengage.com.

SOURCE Cengage Learning