khoblit@hotmail.com
Some learning portals offer courseware infrastructures while others offer a community type setting in which various student related resources can be found. Some are simply hosts of online courses from client universities or other institutions of learning. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.
Below are links to several (in no certain order) with a quote from each site to explain what it is about. These are just an assortment of what I found out there when I recently did a search. Their appearance in this list does not constitute any promotion by myself nor by UCLA. I simply offer this list to get you started in your search for portals to review.
For some of the questions other learners have had go to FAQs About Portals
Here's a site that has links to tons of educations portals.
http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic21.htm
Thanks to Sharon class of April 2002 for discovering this one!
If business or corporate portals are more to your liking visit the following
list of portals or training management type programs, (thanks to Warren class
of April 2003)
http://www.globalinetbiz.net/ibiz/Online_Computer_Training/Management_Systems/
"What is Jenzabar.com? Unlike a Web site, an Internet destination, or software company, Jenzabar.com provides its Web-based intranet application to educational institutions around the globe.
This unique "open system" can be applied to small schools, large universities, private colleges, public systems, and can be used from any computer with a connection to the Internet, allowing students, faculty, administrators and staff access to information they need when they need it. "
www.jenzabar.com
" The goal of the Resource Center is to provide a world-class, online academic destination, through which instructors and students can access high-quality supplemental information and resources that enhance teaching and learning. "
resources.blackboard.com or scholar.blackboard.com
"Our e-learning communities will challenge you to become a better learner--whether you are a student, teacher or lifelong explorer. "
webct.com
"Thinkwell's mission is to provide instructors a next-generation "complement" that communicates in ways that textbooks alone cannot. We want our materials to deliver content in ways that students embrace, as well as to provide instructors with information about student comprehension. "
http://www.thinkwell.com/
"The Campus Pipeline Web platform links existing campus systems to new tools and Web applications allowing schools to leverage current investments in technology and bring all current and future Web applications together in one place. The result is a secure campus Intranet incorporating the latest educational and communication tools that enhances teaching and learning and enlivens community life."
http://www.campuspipeline.com/index.html
"bigchalk.com opens a world of information to teachers, students, and parents — enhancing learning, helping with homework, and offering limitless paths of exploration."
www.bigchalk.com
"An extensive collection of education resources, Ednow.com is designed to assist education professionals in the quest for information. Our mission is to provide an on-line interactive education center devoted exclusively to teachers, librarians, media specialists, administrators, and all other education providers. "
www.ednow.com
Beyond Books is an Internet-based source of educational content that parallels,
expands on, and deepens standards-based curricula for middle schools
and high schools. Beyond Books offers an interactive curriculum that's
engaging and comprehensive, along with teacher-support materials, self-assessments,
and correlations to national and state standards.
www.beyondbooks.com
(thanks to Kristen, class of Oct. 2002 for finding this one)
"CollegeClub.com provides new communication tools for college students to help them build professional and personal networks for life. "
www.collegeclub.com
"Our goal is to enrich education by providing you with the web-based tools and curriculum-focused content you need to use the Internet effectively in education."
www.schoolcity.com
" K12nation provides the tools for an online community, where teachers publish calendars and homework assignments, send messages to parents and students, and more."
"Our mission:
To enhance the educational experience
of students in grades K-12 and to make educators' jobs easier by giving
educators just about anything that we can (within reason)."
www.K12nation.net
"Through the personalized services of CampusCruiser.com, students, alumni, faculty and school administrators can collaborate and exchange information regarding all aspects of collegiate life "
"SchoolCruiser provides a secure, private, web-based school specific community linking all aspects of school life. The community consists of students, faculty, and administrators. "
www.timecruiser.com
"nschool.com is a leading K-12, teacher-driven communications service that brings together administrators, teachers, students and parents through the power of the Internet. The company provides schools with free, secure and highly customizable Web-based systems, which include a suite of services and educational resources that can improve communication and enhance the learning process."
www.nschool.com
"The company has created an online market exchange that facilitates interactions among students, learning institutions, and related product and service vendors. "
www.embark.com
" Our mission is to satisfy members' desire for lifelong discover
and continuous growth, and to create an learning environment that
enables people to take courses and pursue interests at their own pace
and on their own schedule."
www.smartplanet.com
Lightspan (http://www.lightspan.com/)
"Lightspan is dedicated to improving student academic achievement by providing educational resources that can enhance learning in schools and students' homes."
www.lightspan.com
"you can take a course, author and publish your own
learning content, or learn more about your field of
interest. At last—the help you need to bring your
professional and IT learning options into focus!"
http://www.click2learn.com/c2l/ thanks to Tony class of July 2000 for
submitting this one
Education Planet is your "all-in-one education web guide" with educator approved resources and services for teachers, students and parents.
www.educationplanet.com
TeacherVision is an online resource created by teachers for teachers as part of Learning Network.
TeacherVision provides supplemental materials related to pre-K-12 curriculum
and enrichment by offering a broad coverage of lesson plans and activities,
professional development, and tools. TeacherVision emphasizes practical
results for teachers and gives them the opportunity to exchange ideas with
their
peers.
www.teachervision.com
www.tc.cornell.edu/Edu/MathSciGateway
Question 1 --July 2000:
I have looked at several of
the links provided for the learning infrastructures and learning portals.
Some
infrastructures such as
WebCT and Blackboard are also listed under learning portals. I am really
confused about the difference between an infrastructure and a portal.
Chapter nine of our textbook, A Comparison of the Web Classroom Builders,
discusses three of the infrastructures, but there is no mention of a portal
in the book. Where can I find a definition of the two? submitted by Shamsy July 2000
______________________
Response 1-- July 2000:
Good question! I don't know that
there is a published definition but I will try to explain the best I can.
Portals have only appeared in the last year or so, many just in the last few
months. Portals are like
customized areas that the
student can set up that give him quick access to various links of interest,
his or her courses online, places to order books etc. It is basically a
personalized gateway or organizer. To make things confusing, some of the
courseware infrastructures have decided to take their program a step further
and add a "gateway" or as they term it "portal" into their program. They
feel that this is an extra service they can provide the student or the institution.
In addition some of the "portal services" are now trying to build their own
courseware programs. I think this is all good in the long run because it
sets up even more competition and this will drive the push to improve
on the courseware programs we are already using. Karen :)