Open Learning Partnership selects The rSmart Group to implement and support the rSmart Sakai CLE
PHOENIX, AZ. (May 22, 2007)-- The rSmart Group, Inc. (rSmart) today announced they have been selected by the Open Learning Partnership (OLP), a project of eTech Ohio Commission and the Ohio Learning Network, to implement and support the rSmart Sakai Collaboration and Learning Environment (CLE). The rSmart Sakai CLE is a feature-rich, fully scalable, collaboration and learning environment, unique in its ability to support teaching and learning, project collaboration, group interaction and eportfolio construction.
The rSmart CLE will provide OLP with the opportunity to pilot an open source, enterprise level CLE that can be customized to meet the specific needs of the Ohio education community. OLP will initially pilot the rSmart Sakai CLE with one Information Technology Center (ITC), which provides technical services to approximately 29 Ohio school districts, and two higher education institutions. After the pilot period concludes, additional K-12 schools and higher education institutions are expected to join the OLP. In addition to software maintenance and technical support, rSmart will assist OLP with software installation and configuration, data migration and integration, and professional development.
“By working with rSmart on this pilot project, Ohio educators are gaining access to a CLE that can be customized to meet the specific needs of Ohio educators,” said Jillian Froment, Executive Director of the eTech Ohio Commission. “Also, the technical expertise and training resources that rSmart brings to this pilot will allow us to more quickly test the efficacy of open source CLE solutions for Ohio.”
“This project will make Sakai and ePortfolios accessible to Ohio PK-20 education institutions that choose to use it,” said Cable Green, Director of Technology for the Ohio Learning Network. “The OLP leverages the significant investments made previously in Ohio infrastructure, and eTech Ohio’s and OLN’s expertise in providing shared e-learning services. We look forward to working with rSmart to support a robust and flexible learning space for Ohioans.”
“Open source software with commercial support is a powerful combination. The CLE will deliver outstanding value and flexibility to OLP and its partner institutions. Compared to other solutions, the rSmart Sakai CLE will deliver similar features, functions, and service levels while allowing customization of the tool to meet Ohio needs”, said Dan Barber, Vice President of Sales at The rSmart Group. “It’s a privilege to have been selected by OLP, and we look forward to building a long lasting, successful relationship with them.”
OLP joins a rapidly growing list of academic institutions from around the globe that receive dedicated commercial support for their open source applications from rSmart. In the US and abroad, channel partners have played a vital role in expanding rSmart’s presence by providing local sales, services and support for rSmart solutions. Our partner for eTech Ohio was IBM, and other rSmart partners include: Stoas, Netherlands; Corporate Learning Systems, Australia; and Educational Think Tank , Caribbean.
About The rSmart Group
The rSmart Group is the leading open source application software company serving the higher education market. rSmart packages, certifies, deploys, and supports a suite of enterprise financial and collaborative learning applications for colleges and universities. As an active member of open source projects like Kuali and Sakai, rSmart is able to provide its clients with software applications specifically designed to meet the unique needs of institutions of higher education. This collaborative approach allows rSmart to offer colleges and universities open source applications that break their dependence on traditional proprietary software vendors.
Please visit www.rsmart.com for more information.
About eTech Ohio:
eTech is a state agency dedicated to enhancing learning through technology. eTech Ohio addresses critical educational technology issues by developing programs and using best practices to serve learning organizations in acquiring, integrating and sustaining educational technology. eTech Ohio also manages a statewide network that delivers public broadcasting services and instructional and professional development materials. As a national leader in educational technology access and integration, eTech Ohio provides a vast array of cutting-edge technology services to Ohioans. These services include: Educational Network Services, Public Broadcasting Services, Educational Technology Services, and Web-based Services.
Please visit www.etech.ohio.gov/ for more information.
About the Ohio Learning Network:
The Ohio Learning Network helps Ohioans find educational programs that meet their needs, works with colleges and universities using technology to improve teaching and learning, and helps build partnerships among higher education, schools, businesses, and communities. More than 64,000 Ohioans participate in e-learning. OLN aggregates services and resources so Ohioans can meet their learning potential, Ohio’s economy can grow, and Ohio colleges and universities can continue to be knowledge leaders.
Please visit www.oln.org for more information.
