Granada Learning launches digital publishing tool for use with any VLEAt BETT 2006, Granada Learning will launch a publishing tool for the secondary market that allows teachers to create digital learning content and courses quickly and efficiently. Based on the industry-standard SCORM framework, Learnwise CourseBuilder publishes courses that can run on range of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) such as Kaleidos, Assimilate, WebCT Teknical and Blackboard, as well as Granada Learning’s own Learnwise VLE. Learnwise CourseBuilder has also been designed so that teachers with any level of ICT knowledge can use it with ease. Learnwise CourseBuilder allows users to create courses through a standard Windows interface, making it simple to access and associate all files, regardless of their format. Teachers can also utilise Curriculum Online, National Learning Network, and University for Industry (LearnDirect) taxonomies to make metatagging course content against UK learning objectives fast and simple. Learnwise CourseBuilder also integrates with SmartBank, an extensive graphics, image and multimedia resource from Granada Learning. To generate courses, users simply have to launch Learnwise CourseBuilder; select the “Add Folder” and “Add Item” buttons on the toolbar; and drag-and-drop their resources from Windows Explorer. Geoff Broadbent, director of online learning at Granada Learning, said: “With teachers now delivering courses via digital learning platforms, we need to ensure that teaching content is engaging, structured and easy-to-use. With its intuitive functionality, Learnwise CourseBuilder does these things by allowing teachers to create learning material in a wide variety of digital formats both quickly and easily, and to share their work with other schools, clusters or LEAs that use standards-based environments.” David Rush, the developer of Learnwise CourseBuilder at Westcliff Data Services, said: “New technologies such as e-Learning systems should assist teachers in their endeavours – not hinder them. That’s why Learnwise CourseBuilder has been developed from the ground-up with the non-technical user in mind. Teachers will become familiar with CourseBuilder in minutes, allowing them to concentrate or their core competency – teaching!” Further key features of Learnwise CourseBuilder include: • Intuitive user interface makes it accessible for non-technical staff who can use it without any training • Supports all file formats and, unlike other authoring tools, can be used on and offline, giving teachers maximum flexibility • SCORM 1.2 conformant , so that materials are created to the international standard and can be distributed to other learning institutions or commercial partners with standards-based environments • The ability to import and merge existing courses enables teachers to use the tool with all the material they already have, as well as with the next phase of their authoring programme • Over 30 html templates that cover all Key Stages give users a wealth of choice in th e presentation of their material. It also ships with Microsoft FrontPage Express, which provides instant HTML editing with the click of a mouse • New or existing course materials can be previewed from resources such as NLN, Curriculum Online and LearnDirect without the need to be connected to your eLearning system.
Learnwise CourseBuilder costs £95 for an annual single user licence and £2,000 for an annual site licence, plus 15% annual service fee. For a free 14-day trial, please download Learnwise CourseBuilder from www.learnwise.com (select “Platforms” and “CourseBuilder”).
- ends -
Notes for editors: • SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. It is the name of the international standard specification for e-learning materials. The standard has been introduced to ensure that there is a high level of interoperability between learning platform software and the content that is designed to run within it. • Hardware requirements: Intel Pentium P3 500MHz processor, 128Mb RAM, 800 x 600 colour display, 4Mb hard disc space. • Software requirements: Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows 2000. • No other programs, plug-ins or players are required to add items and create learning packages.
About Granada LearningGranada Learning provides resources for the full spectrum of teaching and learning. It develops and publishes curriculum software, resources for children with special educational needs, revision guides and home learning materials, assessments, school management tools, learning platforms and professional development materials. These are used in all sectors of the market from nurseries, primary and secondary schools through to colleges and universities. For further information, please contact: Danielle Morgan PR Manager, Granada Learning Tel: 020 8996 3632 Email: danielle.morgan@granadamedia.com
|
|
 |
|