Turnkey Distance Learning Providers and Instructional Design and Instructional Design and Web Development Tools
Turnkey Distance Learning Providers and Instructional Design
Tools
Anlon 4.0
Anlon 4.0 is an enterprise level, Web-based course management software platform
that enables academic institutions, professional associations, and corporations
to develop, deliver, and manage courses over the Internet. Anlon 4.0's features
include flexible course delivery that supports self-paced learning as well as
instructor-facilitated courses, pre- and post-assessment tools, and a variety
of communication options, including asynchronous and synchronous discussion,
chat, and shared whiteboard tools. Anlon's encryption algorithms are designed
to securely protect all user and instructor data. Contact: Anlon, Mankato, MN;
(888) 866-4793; www.anlon.com.
Blackboard
Blackboard 5's e-Learning software platform includes a course management system,
customizable institution-wide portals, online campus communities, and an advanced
architecture allowing easy integration of multiple administrative applications.
Blackboard 5 can be licensed at three different levels. Level One-Course Manager
enables instructors to provide their students with course materials, discussion
boards, virtual chat, online assessments, and a dedicated academic resource
center on the Web . Level Two-Course and Portal Manager provides customizable
institution-wide portals for faculty, students, staff, and alumni with access
to more than 150 personalized news and information services from across the
Web . The platform can be customized with institutional branding and a tailored
look and feel. It facilitates campus online communities, Web-based e-mail, calendar,
announcements and tasks. It also allows for a central access point to all of
an institution's online services. Level Three-Advance Course and Portal Manager
is a complete end-to-end e-Learning solution. In addition to the Course and
Portal Manager, Level Three provides advanced Java-based API's for unifying
diverse online campus systems into one integrated platform, allowing for user-driven
single log-in service delivery, as well as capabilities that allow each school,
department or campus within the institution to maintain its own customized environment.
Contact: Blackboard, Washington, D.C.; (202) 463-4860; www.blackboard.com.
Collegis
Collegis offers a comprehensive array of services, including: Campus Planning,
Process Analysis and Design, Administrative Systems (ERP) Implementation, Application
Services (ASP), Management Services, Legacy Systems Management, ERP Web-Enablement,
Portal Services, EIS/Data Warehouse, e-Commerce and e-Learning. Contact: Collegis,
Maitland, FL; (800) 800-1874; www.collegis.com.
Connected Learning
The Connected Learning Electronic Graduate Assistant (CLEGA) allows instructors
to create courses and establish work groups, study groups, and project teams.
Instructors can team-teach with CLEGA and provide mentoring and advising opportunities
for students.
CLEGA offers a variety of features such as chat rooms, integrated
audio and video streaming, online grade book, testing, grading, and evaluation,
Web-based e-mail, course designer, graphics integration, favorite Web sites,
faculty controls, and security. Using CLEGA, users can link to administrative
and academic services. The system is password protected. Contact: Connected
Learning, Louisville, KY; (800) 569-6505; www.connectedlearning.com.
Convene Izio
Izio enables educators and trainers to create and post materials that support
and enhance a classroom experience on the Web in as little as 30 minutes with
no previous programming or HTML skills required. Izio's course management tools
include time-sensitive posting of materials, personal and course-level calendars,
confidential grade reporting, file sharing and collaborative messaging. Izio
allows users to set-up learning programs or transition existing courses to one
central online environment and includes audio and video streaming capabilities,
live or recorded. Web-based training, includes an authoring tool for course
development. Instructors can create classroom simulations and goal-based scenario
learning, assemble work teams, create and monitor discussion groups with chat
functions, and provide immediate feedback. Assessment and course evaluation
tools are included. . Contact: Convene, San Francisco, CA; (415) 782-0500; www.convene.com.
eCollege
eCollege offers three applications: eToolkit is a free application that provides
introductory e-learning tools for on-campus instruction; eCompanion is a classroom-based
tool that enhances content with Internet resources, online assignments, group
collaboration, and practice tests; and eCourse is their distance learning solution.
eCourse offers threaded discussion, chat, e-mail, calendar, and an online journal,
as well as Internet research tools and content solutions from various providers.
Contact: eCollege, Denver, CO; (888) 884-7325; www.ecollege.com.
Education-to-Go
Education-to-Go offers an easy, cost-effective entry into online education.
By providing pre-packaged instructor-facilitated online courses, Education-to-Go
allows institutions to bypass development costs and get into distance education
instantly. Currently offered are dozens of courses in computer skills, personal
enrichment, nursing, financial planning, and other topics. All courses asynchronous,
collaborative learning environments. Contact: Education-to-Go, Temecula, CA;
(909) 506-6647; www.educationtogo.com.
eduprise.com
eduprise.com helps institutions build, deploy, and maintain Web-enhanced and
Web-based courses. All development tools and courses are available via a Web
browser, eliminating the need for special software. Eduprise.com offers three
levels of service, depending on the institution's needs. Eduprise Progress deploys
online courses and course development tools. Eduprise Integration helps institutions
integrate online learning with administrative functions. Eduprise Outreach deploys
online learning for distance students as well as on-campus customers. Contact:
eduprise.com, Morrisville, NC; (877) 338-7747; www.eduprise.com.
Embanet
Offering a complete turn-key solution for creating a virtual campus, Embanet
e-learning solutions feature course conversion, 24/7 tech support, course development
tools, hosting, and online instructor training. Features include fully-integrated
e-mail; audio, video, and text chat rooms; real-time group collaboration; threaded
discussion areas; student progress tracking; student home pages; customizable
design and layout; collaborative and private work areas; collaborative white
boards; and asynchronous and synchronous communication. Contact: Embanet, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada; (416) 494-6622; www.embanet.com.
eWeb University and eWeb Classroom
eWeb University.com offers its non-proprietary e-learning software infrastructure
solutions, eWeb Classroom and eWeb University, to enable institutions to author,
maintain, and publish online course and degree content over a fully integrated
virtual campus. All eWeb University products are compatible with handheld devices
such as Palm Pilots for complete portability. eWeb University's products also
use little bandwidth so as to be accessible to students with slow Internet connections.
The eWeb Classroom tool allows instructors to build courses online with no knowledge
of HTML. eWeb University acts as a scalable front-end as well as a Web authoring
tool, and also integrates with existing back end legacy information systems.
Contact: eWeb University, San Jose, CA; (408) 441-2730; www.eWebuniversity.com.
FirstClass
First Class offers FirstClass Collaborative Classroom, communication, collaborative
learning, and event software, which allows users to publish course materials,
moderate class discussions, and more. The program features a gradebook, testing
and quizzing functions, course templates, and asynchronous as well as chat functions.
FirstClass CC Gold is now compatible with Palm organizers. FirstClass IP Notifier
sends users a message when incoming mail arrives. Contact: Centrinity, Markham,
Ontario, Canada; (888) 808-0388; www.centrinity.com.
Horizon Live 2.0
Horizon Live 2.0 is a system for live online learning. Features include integrated
chat, instant polling, a whiteboard for both instructor and student use, application
screening, and a One-Click Archive that records live sessions for on-demand
review. Horizon Live is accessible on any standard Web browser and runs on Mac,
UNIX, or Windows platforms. Contact: Horizon Live, New York, NY; (212) 533-1775;
www.horizonlive.com.
IntraLearn
IntraLearn is a comprehensive learning management tool for providing online
learning. All IntraLearn products are fully integrated e-learning platforms
that enable Application Service Providers, corporate enterprises, and education
providers to rapidly create, deliver, and measure interactive learning over
the Internet and intranets. The shrink-wrapped products are field-configurable,
built on Windows 2000, and utilize SQL Server to contain, link, capture, and
report all activity.
IntraLearn products are e-commerce enabled with remote
registration, content delivery, learner profiles, multimedia, exams, and assessments.
Reports on learner progress and skill attainment are automatically generated.
Interactivity and collaboration are built-in with chat, threaded discussions,
e-mail, whiteboards, Internet links, and group/mentor rooms with file sharing.
Contact: IntraLearn, Northboro, MA; (508) 393-2277; www.intralearn.com.
Jenzabar
Jenzabar offers course publishing tools with an easy-to-use Web-based interface.
There is no software to install or download, no disks to send, and no special
languages to learn. Jenzabar provides single-login access to all course information,
course publishing tools, and a full service Web-portal. Features include a personal
calendar, online course management, customizability, streamed discussion forum
for online office hours, and chat rooms. The product is password protected.
Contact: Jenzabar, Cambridge, MA; (877) 536-0222; www.jenzabar.net.
Jones Knowledge e-Education
The Jones e-education platform is a fully-hosted turnkey solution for distance
learning. It provides a scalable open architecture, giving instructors the freedom
to fashion their own instructional design framework. Content can be added or
drawn from the Jones Knowledge content collection. New to the platform is an
enhancement called Rapid Course Development Templates, which offer a more systematic
approach to loading online courses through customizable templates. RCDT course
templates were developed for the most commonly used word processors and employ
a "fill-in-the-blank" approach to instructional design, with descriptions and
suggestions. They permit a simple cut-and-paste method of transferring material
from existing course and training documents/presentations. Only the most basic
word processor skills are required to create a course in Jones e-education.
Contact: Jones Knowledge, Denver, CO; (888) 235-6637; www.jonesknowledge.com.
LearnLinc 5
LearnLinc 5 from Mentergy provides synchronized Web navigation, enabling instructors
to launch browsers on all student PCs and control access to Web sites. Version
5 features instructor/student floor control, class coordination, synchronized
multimedia or Web-based courseware, application sharing, whiteboard and text
chat, record/playback, and breakout groups. Improvements include smaller downloads
in this version and a simplified interface and installation process. In addition,
LearnLinc maintains a wide array of communications options, such as audio conferencing,
streaming video, and IP multicasting. Contact: Mentergy, Atlanta, GA; (770)
612-9129; www.mentergy.com.
Lotus Learning Space LearningSpace 4 is a complete learning management and
delivery system that lets users seamlessly integrate course content, whether
it be generated by the instructor or a content provider.
Learning Space supports
self-paced, collaborative, or real-time learning. Lotus LearningSpace 4 Core
Module uses active server page technology and relational database structures
to support the delivery and tracking of online self-paced learning content.
Self-paced courses can be highly structured with controlled paths and prerequisite
assessments, providing flexible learner access designed to suit individual learning
needs. Lotus LearningSpace 4 Collaboration Module combines the self-paced learning
capabilities of the core module with the extensive collaborative learning capabilities
that enable learners and instructors to work and learn together using discussion
databases or via real-time, virtual classrooms. This capability makes it possible
to bring together groups located throughout the world. Contact: Lotus Corp.,
Cambridge, MA; (800) 346-1305; www.lotus.com.
MyCourse.com
MyCourse.com is an online syllabus builder and course enhancement tool that
is hosted and developed by Course Technology, a Thomson Learning company. MyCourse.com
provides new content that corresponds with the course textbook for learning
reinforcement. Instructors can use MyCourse.com to customize the online material
for the course, or directs students to www.mycourse.com where they can enter
the ISBN of the text and start learning from a pre-assembled course. MyCourse
content includes objectives, topic review, case projects for each chapter, practice
tests, and related Web links. With MyCourse.com, instructors can build a syllabus,
post class announcements, merge material from more than one text, and add custom
material. Contact: Course Technology, Boston, MA; (617) 757-7900; www.course.com.
TopClass 5
TopClass 5, a course development system from WBT Systems, is based on a reusable
Learning Object architecture and designed to support the rapid migration, delivery
and tracking of learning content. TopClass 5 includes "out-of-the-box" integrated
support for migrating content from authoring tools as diverse as Microsoft PowerPoint
and Word to higher end tools such as Dreamweaver, FrontPage, and Flash as well
as off-the-shelf content from leading vendors. TopClass 5 uses XML for data
interchange with other enterprise applications and SCORM and AICC to enable
content interchange and tracking. Version 5 also provides key enhancements in
course assembly, content conversion, learning object reusability, and Web-based
training administration. Contact: WBT Systems, Waltham, MA; (877) TOP-CLASS;
www.wbtsystems.com.
Vcampus
VCampus is an application service provider that develops, manages, and hosts
turn-key Web-based learning environments for corporations, academic institutions,
and government agencies. VCampus offers a full delivery platform, customized
for each organization's unique style, a student registration and tracking system,
pre-testing, dynamic assessment, and complete reporting. VCampus services include
courseware design, professional education, business skills management training,
and technical skills training. Contact: VCampus, Reston, VA; (800) 915-9298;
www.vcampus.com.
Web-4M
Web-4M is a multi-platform collaboration and groupware solution. Web-4M can
be customized. Features include audio conferencing, multimedia chat facilities,
instant messaging, interactive slide shows, phone, news, e-mail, calendar, and
shared documents. Web-4M is securely accessible via a common Web browser. Web-4M
transforms traditional chat rooms into multimedia forums for collaboration that
are integrated with mail, news, Web documents, and a distributed file system.
Operating over intranets or the Internet, Web-4M features browser accessible
local and global communication. Web-4M eliminates software distribution, provides
platform independence, and reduces administration. Contact: JDH Technologies,
Newport News, VA; (757) 873-4747; www.jdhtech.com.
Web CT Campus Edition 3.5
Campus Edition has been designed especially for those institutions that wish
to efficiently scale their online learning programs and/or integrate their course
tools platform with campus-wide portals and student information systems. To
enable efficient scaling, the product license allows for multiple servers and
includes additional systems administration support. In addition, Campus Edition
is designed to be a turnkey solution with Web CT's partners, SCT and Campus
Pipeline, to facilitate integration by providing institutions with an end-to-end
solution that can be operated and maintained by a single group of administrators.
Version 3.5 features validation of user names and passwords from a central database,
and IMS compliance for easy integration with student databases. Contact: Web
CT, Peabody, MA; (978) 538-0036; www.Webct.com.
Web Mentor
Web Mentor provides Web-based training. Its features include a browser-based
authoring system that supports course authoring, editing and testing, full course
search and spell check, visual, easy-to-use editing, support for metadata descriptions,
and more. Web Mentor can deliver training via a standard Web browser and offers
retrieval of high bandwidth course material such as video and audio from local
storage such as CD-ROM. A customizable user interface supports large courses
covering hundreds of lessons and permits dynamic content. The system is scalable.
Contact: Avilar Technologies, Laurel, MD; (888) 873-7014; http://avilar.com/.
Instructional Design and Web Development Tools
Artbeats Stock Footage
Artbeats' multimedia production tool and reference library contains more than
550 MB of data comprising more than 2,000 movies, animations, bitmapped graphics,
sounds, and Flash files. Web designers can get vector images and fast-downloading,
fully animated buttons that can be imported into multimedia authoring programs.
Most of the bitmapped images consist of more than one frame or state and can
be used to create roll-over effects, while the multi-frame buttons can be used
as animated GIFs. The reasonable price includes an online manual and technical
support. Contact: Artbeats; Myrtle Creek, OR; (541) 863-4429; http://www.artbeats.com/
JafSoft AscToHTM 4.0
AscToHTM converts text files to HTML. It recognizes headings, bullets, lists,
indentation, URLs, tables, ASCII art and more. The resulting HTML document faithfully
reflects the structure of the original document. The program turns URLs into
hyperlinks and adds color to the pages. It can generate a hyperlinked contents
list from headings, split large files into linked pages, and place the HTML
into a set of frames. Version 4.0 supports frame generation and allows user-supplied
HTML fragments to be used along with the program's HTML. Contact: JafSoft, Cheshire,
United Kingdom; 44 (161) 718 0211; www.jafsoft.com.
Mediator 6 Pro
MatchWare's Mediator 6 Pro, available for PCs only, offers simple drag-and-drop
components that enable users to combine graphics, sound, text, video, and animations
one page at a time. Mediator's three basic components-the toolbox, events dialog,
and page list-form an easy-to-learn foundation for a rich array of features.
The software includes more than 200 special effects that users can apply to
any action, including reveals, zooms, fades, and scrolling. The Events window
previews every effect, allowing users to try out an effect before selecting
it. The user can also send a copy of the design in-progress to others, via e-mail,
CD-ROM, or other methods, for collaborative development. Contact: MatchWare,
Irvine, CA; (949) 727-0450; www.matchware.net.
Trellix
Trellix Web Express is a complete, browser-based Web site building platform
and private label hosting service that is licensed to online communities, portals,
and vertical content destinations. Trellix Web Express includes sample content
templates, hundreds of professional designs, an integrated photo management
tool, and unique click-in-context editing, making Web site creation easy for
everyone. The platform includes sophisticated abuse-prevention tools that monitor
bandwidth and content abuses and guarantee uptime. Trellix Web Express can also
be hosted on an existing infrastructure. Contact: Trellix, Concord, MA; (978)
318-7200; www.trellix.com.
Educational Partner Tools
Tandberg's Educational Partner Tools is authoring software that allows teachers
and materials developers to create their own multimedia learning resources.
Partner Tools is available in two versions: the Designer and the Browser. The
Designer enables teachers to choose the best medium to convey their message-a
still picture, video clip, or audio clip-and store the resulting materials in
digital format. Using the Browser, students can navigate the multimedia experience
via a linear sequence random access, but are not able to change the format.
Contact: Tandberg Educational; Brewster, NY; (800) 367-1137; www.tandberg-us.com.
Eye Candy 4000
This graphics plug-in from Alien Skin Software offers users 23 special effects
filters including wood, fire, and marble for backgrounds, images, or text.
The
Drip filter-complete with 3D-like drops-turns text and images into dripping
paintings, while the Melt filter allows users to stretch and distort using realistic
melting effects. Hundreds of presets create effects instantly, but tools such
as the Bevel Profile Editor and Color Gradient Editor allow users complete control
over shape and color. Users can switch from one filter to another in the large
preview window and can see effects with all layers visible. Real-world parameters
create resolution-independent images that will look the same when printed at
72 dpi or put onto a Web site at 300 dpi or higher. Contact: Alien Skin Software;
Raleigh, NC; (888) 921-7546; www.alienskin.com
GoLive
This Adobe software features WYSIWYG page layout with one-pixel accuracy-the
layout grid lets users place elements anywhere on the page, and they will display
that way in a Web browser. Users can manage a Web site with a tool that provides
a graphical map of each page, showing pages that are linked to it and including
a list of graphics and other media, links, and e-mail addresses that appear
in the page. Users can also update an entire site at once if they change a filename,
URL, or e-mail address. While working on a Web page or a site in GoLive, users
can easily preview it as it would appear in different browsers on different
platforms. In addition to the source and layout views common to many WYSIWYG
Web page editors, GoLive has a useful HTML outline view that allows users to
instantly see connections between related tags. Contact: Adobe Systems; San
Jose, CA; www.adobe.com.
LiveMotion
LiveMotion makes it easy to animate images for the Web and to import Photoshop
and Illlustrator files. The animation timeline in LiveMotion is object-based
so that each part of an image can be animated separately, even if the parts
are on the same layer. Animations can be exported as GIFs or SWFs. LiveMotion
also lets users create and save styles for rollovers, making it easy to create
a set of similar buttons without having to repeat tedious steps. Contact: Adobe
Systems; San Jose, CA; www.adobe.com.
Quest 6.0
A reusable and extensible object-oriented architecture lets Quest 6.0 enhance
the development of interactive training and education applications. Features
include FastTracks, multiple libraries of pre-built screen layouts, buttons,
and interactions. QuestNet+, a 16-bit version for both novice and expert developers,
offers interactive training via CD-ROM, the Internet, an intranet, LAN, or a
hybrid mix of delivery vehicles. Users need a 32-bit operating system-Windows
95 or higher or Windows NT-to take full advantage of the multimedia capabilities.
Contact: Mentergy, Atlanta, GA; (770) 612-9129; www.mentergy.com.
ReadyGo
ReadyGo is an easy-to-use authoring tool for creating courses for online delivery
or computer-based training. Most users find themselves creating their first
course in a matter of minutes. ReadyGo will import audio and video files and
converts PowerPoint shows easily. ReadyGo courses are HTML-based and need no
special plug-ins. Contact: Learning Quest Technologies, (801) 916-7433; www.lquest.net.
SmartSound's Sonicfire Pro
Sonicfire's new video import capability allows users to bring videos into SmartSound,
with or without the audio track, and score them automatically. Users can bring
in any DV, AVI, MPEG or Quicktime file and, with a click of a button, create
a compelling accurately timed soundtrack. In addition, users don't have to leave
SmartSound to see exactly how the soundtrack works with the picture; Sonicfire
allows users to preview the soundtrack while watching the video play, make changes
and adjustments, and immediately see the impact. In addition, the soundtrack
can be adjusted in real time, while the video plays. New audio tools in the
latest version allow users to edit their own music. Support for DV audio now
lets users transfer files with no intermediate steps. Contact: Sonic Desktop;
Northridge, CA; (800) 454-1900; www.smartsound.com
Toolbook II Assistant 8
The Toolbook II Assistant 8 enables registered ToolBook users to instantly deliver
and manage public or private e-learning courses via click2learn's e-Learning
Network. Developers are able to create content that complies with virtually
every major learning standard today-including AICC, IMS, Microsoft's LRN, and
the SCORM standard. Also included is an upgraded suite of interactive e-learning
features and tools to automatically export course scores, student information,
and data to corporate databases such as SQL Server or Oracle. Contact: Click2learn;
Bellevue, WA; (800) 448-6543; www.click2learn.com.
VideoFactory
Users can create high-quality, low-bandwidth videos in a format that d'esn't
take up a lot of hard drive space with Sonic Foundry's VideoFactory. The software
allows users to animate text to scroll credits or focus on key points; fly in
text in a number of ways; and set the font size, color, angle, and timing, and
apply drop shadows and glows. MP3 audio files can be used to enhance a video
project, either through adding multiple MP3 files to the same project or crossfading
them on the same track. The product includes a start-up tutorial and a content
CD containing hundreds of video clips and images, sound effects, music beds,
and stingers. Users can record an audio track or narrate a video in real time
during playback, as well as add images and pictures that have been scanned in,
captured on screen, or received via e-mail. Contact: Sonic Foundry; Madison,
WI; (608) 256-3133; www.sonicfoundry.com
Web Learning Studio
Macromedia's three-product bundle includes Authorware 5.2, Flash 5, and Dreamweaver
4. Authorware enables users to incorporate rich media through direct support
for Flash 5, QuickTime 4, and other common digital video and audio formats.
Users can add content and then choose from 11 response types including buttons,
hotspots, and hot objects. Flash allows users to create animations and include
narration and soundtracks. Dreamweaver 4 provides an environment for authoring
HTML and JavaScript through a visual approach, and enables users to create interactive
Flash buttons. Special pricing for educators is available. Contact: Macromedia;
San Francisco, CA; (415) 252-2000; www.macromedia.com
Web Savant
Learn how to create Web pages, write and edit HTML code, and tweak HTML code
in WYSIWYG Web page editors with this four CD-ROM package from Savant Interactive.
With more than 11 hours of instruction, including hundreds of sample files and
demos for the software and shareware covered in the training, Web Savant begins
with an introduction to the Internet and moves on to HTML, page design, image
creation, animated GIFs, JavaScript, audio, video, and other topics. Users will
learn to properly convert graphics to a Web format; write JavaScript to create
mouse-over effects, image swapping, and form data validation; and customize
CGI scripts to e-mail form data and perform searches on their sites. Advanced
lessons cover frames, forms, PDFs, and an introduction to Flash. Contact: Savant
Interactive; Lisle, IL; (866) 4SAVANT; www.websavant.com