Pearson Unveils OpenClass Technology Partners

Pearson, one of the leading international learning companies, recently announced that a number of technology partners have teamed up with OpenClass. This is a fresh learning management system (LMS) that is deployed through the cloud. This announcement was made at the yearly get-together of international technology leaders at EDUCAUSE 2011.

OpenClass is free and simple to use. It does not involve any hardware or licensing as well as any hosting costs. This allows for it to be used easily across a ranging of learning approaches that are aimed at enhancing classroom interaction. OpenClass merges effortlessly with Google Apps for Education, which downloaded from the Google (News - Alert) Apps Marketplace. With one sign-on as well as a unified navigation bar, instructors and pupils alike will be able to deploy OpenClass from inside Google Apps. Alternately they will be able to use OpenClass to gain access to Google applications.

In a release, Matt Leavy, chief executive officer of Pearson eCollege, said, "OpenClass is a key part of our mission to increase access, achievement and affordability in higher education. We're thrilled to have these technology partners collaborate with us to advance the capabilities of OpenClass. By leveraging the rich data and social foundations of the OpenClass platform, we'll provide educators and students with a richer, more personal and more connected learning experience."

Pearson has approached technology leaders in a massive effort to encourage institutions to use OpenClass and then customize it to their individual requirements. Some of these partners in technology as well as content are CourseSmart, ProQuest, Panopto, Kaltura, Respondus and Turnitin, Learning Objects, SoftChalk (News - Alert), Foliotek, Biometric Signature ID, SmarterServices, Acxiom, OpenStudy and Smarthinking. Pearson will continue its efforts to enhance its network and is continuing in its efforts to add technology as well as content-based partnerships to enhance its institutional requirements.

Sean Devine, chief executive officer of CourseSmart, said, "OpenClass truly embraces CourseSmart's mission of connecting content producers with content users in the higher education space. Through OpenClass, institutions will be able to provide their students and instructors with seamless access to all of their digital course materials, including our 20,000 eTextbook and eResources titles."