Learning Apps

Intellidemia Updates Syllabus Software

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 02/03/10

Intellidemia is updating its online syllabus application to include files and generate real-time alerts. The company's newest release of Concourse includes functionality that enables users to embed file content directly in the syllabus and notify students automatically when edits or changes have been made.

The addition of files provides faculty with a way to insert uploaded content directly into their syllabus. That can include slideshows, projects, homework, and readings. This feature allows students to access the material right from the part of the syllabus that references it.

"With files, students can get all the information they need without ever navigating away from the place where their course information is already found," said CEO Judd Rattner. "While other models categorize based on their function (files, discussion boards, grades, etc.), Concourse brings together all course information using the syllabus as the organizing theme."

The notifications feature allows instructors and other syllabus contributors to inform students about changes to the course plan. Once a change is made to a syllabus, collaborators are invited to send a message to those enrolled in the course without having to enter e-mail addresses. The message also contains information about where the change was made and directs users to that point on the syllabus.

The company offers a free, hosted version for individual use, which has limited configuration capabilities. Institutions can license a hosted version or run it in-house on their own servers.