McGraw-Hill Higher Education Announces Breakthrough Interactive Sociology Learning Solution

McGraw-Hill Higher Education, a leading provider of print and electronic solutions, today unveiled "Reel Society: An Interactive Movie" on CD-ROM, which enhances a students' understanding of sociology by providing interactive real-world choices and perspectives. The movie was developed in collaboration with WILL Interactive, Inc., a leader in interactive movie training solutions.

"'Reel Society' is designed with today's student in mind and utilizes engaging technology to provide real-world interactions that make sociology relevant to students' lives," said Ed Stanford, president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education. "This breakthrough solution is another example of McGraw-Hill Higher Education's technology-based tools that increase student understanding, enrich classroom discussions and help students succeed."

Through a selection of interactive scenarios, "Reel Society" bridges the gap between classroom concepts and theories of social structure and a student's personal experiences. The interactive movie is set on a college campus. Students take on the role of different characters in real-life situations and influence plots through a decision-based branching storyline capability that makes each exercise unique for every user. Supported by explanatory text boxes, quizzes and discussion questions, "Reel Society" is a powerful solution that brings sociological concepts such as culture, stratification, gender roles, norms and other contemporary social issues to life.

"Our methodology for creating virtual experiences through computer-based interactive movies combines education, training and an entertainment value that keeps the user engaged. The result is an interactive learning solution that draws students in emotionally and keeps their attention. We're delighted to have a role in McGraw-Hill's continuing evolution of the textbook," said WILL Interactive, Inc., President and CEO Sharon Sloane.

"Reel Society" will be featured in an ongoing demonstration at the McGraw-Hill Higher Education exhibit at the 98th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association, held at the Atlanta Hilton in Atlanta, GA from August 16-19.

"Reel Society" is available as a stand-alone product for use with all introductory sociology textbooks. It is also provided at no extra cost with every new copy of Richard T. Schaefer's "Sociology: A Brief Introduction, Fifth Edition," (2004), the leading comprehensive sociology text that combines theory, current research and issues of student interest to help students learn about society and their own lives. For additional information, please visit www.mhhe.com/sociology.

About McGraw-Hill Higher Education

McGraw-Hill Higher Education is a leading global provider of educational materials and professional information targeted at the higher education market. It is part of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in financial services, education and business-to-business information through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's and BusinessWeek. The Corporation has more than 320 offices in 34 countries. Sales in 2002 were $4.8 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

About WILL Interactive

WILL Interactive, a worldwide leader in interactive movie training solutions, pioneered and developed the award winning Virtual Experience Interactive Learning Software (VEILS™). The company's patented system, applied to high-end slice-of-life feature filmmaking, provides corporations, institutions and individuals with a highly engaging and proven effective solution to their toughest education or training dilemmas. Additional information is available at www.willinteractive.com.

SOURCE: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

CONTACT: April Hattori, +1-212-904-2078, april_hattori@mcgraw-hill.com,
or Diane Lopez, +1-212-904-3214, diane_lopez@mcgraw-hill.com, both of
McGraw-Hill Education; Lyn McCall of WILL Interactive, Inc., +1-301-983-6006
or Lyn@WILLinteractive.com

Web site: http://www.mhhe.com/sociology
http://www.willinteractive.com/