SoftChalk, a developer of content authoring software for eLearning, and MERLOT, the premier, higher education online learning resources network, have joined hands to support the discovery, distribution and sharing of eLearning digital resources.
Both partners are looking to simplify the process of finding and integrating MERLOT digital content into media-rich lessons created using SoftChalk. They will also work together to allow SoftChalk authors to streamline the process for publishing learning materials into the MERLOT repository.
With the MERLOT media repository included in SoftChalk’s Media Search Tool, SoftChalk users can quickly search for and integrate MERLOT educational materials into SoftChalk-authored content.
The companies will also focus on developing a "Publish to MERLOT" feature that will enable SoftChalk users to publish learning materials they create with SoftChalk directly into the MERLOT repository.
Under the agreement, SoftChalk will also offer MERLOT members discounted pricing on the purchase of SoftChalk individual licenses and MERLOT partner institutions can leverage discount pricing on enterprise/site licenses.
"The alliance between MERLOT and SoftChalk will result in a wonderful opportunity to increase the effectiveness of creating, discovering, sharing and utilizing rich media content, said Gerry Hanley, executive director of MERLOT.
"The SoftChalk Digital Repository Program connects SoftChalk users with a variety of online content and the MERLOT repository will be a significant addition,” said Susan Evans, CEO of SoftChalk. “We are excited to collaborate with MERLOT in an effort to provide quality content to higher education and support collaborative online learning.”
Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anuradha’s article, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Stefania Viscusi