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We specialize in working as partners with learning organizations interested in harnessing the power of the Internet to create virtual learning communities. For these online communities we create collaborative social, work and learning spaces; build information-rich websites, which customers can easily update; help them manage data; and provide email, instant messaging, and other communication tools.
l Our higher education customers use our services to support their online, low-residency, and residential degree programs.
l School districts, in an effort to meet the growing demand for more effective and timely communications, use our services for teachers, staff, students, parents, and the wider community.
l We offer the same services to the learning organizations in non-profits, governments, and business.
Process
Initial Meetings: Our collaboration begins with meeting the primary stakeholders to discuss the needs, concerns, and current status. We also prepare demonstrations of work we've done with other clients to spur thought and conversation. Our aim here is to uncover primary needs, obstacles to change, and the true state of the customer's current systems and processes.
Involve the Stakeholders: This prep work usually brings up institutional and personal issues around technology that become part of the project. The many tools now available to learning organizations often prompts a closer look at "the way we've always done things". This may cause a re-engineering of certain processes. Our consultants are versed not just in the technical intricacies of the tools but in the human dynamics that, more often than not, determine the outcome of a project.
Analysis & Plan: Once we involve the stakeholders and define the scope of the project, we move into a deeper analysis of the organization and it's needs. This starts with an understanding of existing systems, upon which we build, or with which we integrate. From this analysis comes a proposed solution, including hardware, software, databases, FirstClass desktop and website designs, online forms & services, and a training and support plan. The various stakeholders help and comment all along the way. When the plan is drafted, it's not a surprise because the organization helps develop it.
Build: We build a project in pieces, as an iterative process. Working with the core project team, we create small sections, test them, and fix problems. This gives the team ample chance to review, comment, and correct the plan as it falls into place. Once the project team is satisfied with the results, we move into the implementation phase.
Implementation: Choosing the time and speed of implementation is critical for success. We work closely with customers to implement in a way that meshes with their workflow and staffing capacity.
Training & Support: Training and support includes onsite and online training, documentation, phone and email support, and continual monitoring of software and hardware, whether hosted at our location or the customer. This ongoing work reduces the risk of being handed the keys as the contractor walks out the door, and ensures a high level of satisfaction because we are right there on the line with the customer.
Tools
For all our work, we use FirstClass, Elluminate, SQL, and PHP, to build and host virtual campuses, learning communities, and learning management systems. Specifically, we use these tools to support:
l Synchronous communication through voice, video, white board, application sharing and follow-me Web, and instant messaging.
l Asynchronous communication using threaded discussions, shared calendars, email, conferences, and shared documents.
l Data management solutions unique to the customer's workflow and needs.
l EasyManage Web publishing, eliminating the main excuse for an out-of-date website, "It takes too much time."
Over the past ten years, we tested many products, looking for the "Best of Breed" to meet the needs of our learning communities. The tools we use now are the result of this effort. We continue to search and test, as the market offers more and better possibilities.
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