Jenzabar Releases Course Management System and Updates Course Management Program

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 11/12/09

Jenzabar has released both a new course management system and a new version of its software for managing non-traditional course programs.

The new release of Jenzabar NTS, version 3.5, includes updates to marketing and relationship management tools, such as trend reports from online student surveys and other reports that help target high-interest candidates. The application, intended for use in continuing education, workforce development, certificate, and other non-traditional programs, also features revamped self-service and Web navigation for students in the areas of registration, shopping for books and supplies, viewing grades and schedules, and doing financial transactions.

NTS 3.5 has improved income, expense, and profit tracking capabilities to help institutions analyze and predict the success and sustainability of each non-traditional offering. Other tools in the new version allow institutions to identify in-demand items and potential revenue-generating corporate partners.

"New learning trends and economical factors continue to compel higher education institutions to diversify their programs and accommodate non-traditional students," said Robert Maginn, Jr., chairman and CEO. "The flexibility within Jenzabar NTS gives colleges and universities the ability to promptly make adjustments to their non-traditional offerings and reduce the time spent on managing these programs."

e-Racer, the new course management system, can be implemented independently of, or in conjunction with, Jenzabar's enterprise systems. It includes online testing tools, with an integrated, automated grade book; targeted communications for sending events and tasks to student calendars and home pages; role-based previewing parameters for sharing course setup and content; automatically populated accounts, including schedules and enrolled students; and a faculty question bank of test questions for future tests and quizzes. Additional features permit faculty to create, customize, and manage courses, including handling administrative tasks such submitting mid-term and final grades directly from the course gradebook to the Jenzabar student information system; importing of course content; and the ability to perform reporting and data analysis.

"With e-Racer, we are delivering a fast and efficient avenue to learner-centered collaboration, resulting in stronger relationships between students and faculty," said Rick Tomlinson, product marketing manager at Jenzabar. "This allows an institution to meet the demands of its technically savvy constituents and provide a learning environment that enhances student learning and faculty impact, all with a short learning curve for users."