| In This Issue: |
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MiCTA and the ATAlliance Announce Video Integration
Services RFP Initiative |
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Sprint PCS introduces Ready Link push-to-talk
service |
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Featured New Vendor - Desire2Learn |
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USF Funding YR2004 Begins |
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New 2004 Brodart Library Supplies and Furniture
Catalog |
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Both the MiCTA and ATAlliance boards have endorsed the
Video Integration Services ( VIS ) RFP initiative announced
by John Rathje at MiCTA's Fall Seminar. MiCTA's Network
and Technology committees will take the lead in developing
the technical requirements, and would like to speak with
members who have upcoming video integration and equipment
projects. Information gathered during this process will
be used to develop specifications and benchmark cost proposals
to be included in the RFP.
MiCTA and the ATAlliance members are encouraged to support
this effort by participating in the RFP development and/or
evaluation process. Participation will not commit member
organizations to purchase under the resulting agreements.
If you would like to share your video project requirements
or participate as part of either the RFP development or
Evaluation Committees, please contact Joan Hartman at
888 870-8677 X105, or email jhartman@mictaservice.com
no later than Monday December 8, 2003. |
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| Sprint announced the availability
of a new nationwide walkie-talkie style service called
PCS Ready LinkSM that gives customers a quick, convenient
way to communicate one-on-one or to groups of people with
the simple push of a button. Ideal for short "get in,
get out" conversations, PCS Ready Link is an efficient
and cost-effective way to quickly access co-workers, clients,
suppliers, family and friends anywhere on the enhanced
Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. The new service makes its
debut on two new PCS VisionSM Ready Link Phones by Sanyo,
including a ruggedized version and a clamshell design.
What sets Ready Link aside from the competition, is that
it provides ALL of the following: |
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Nationwide coverage |
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Nationwide group calls |
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High-speed data enabled |
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Ability to roam |
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FREE web-based directory tool |
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One number for voice and two-way |
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Color devices |
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MiCTA's
Sprint PCS Program
More
information |
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Desire2Learn of Kitchener-Waterloo,
Ontario-Canada is a world leader in providing innovative
eLearning solutions to academic institutions and other
learning organizations around the world. Last May, MiCTA
completed an agreement with Desire2Learn to offer special
pricing to MiCTA members for eLearning Management Solutions.
Desire2Learn provides learning management
systems, portals, learning object repositories, and
much more, as an end-to-end solution that can be perfectly
tailored to the needs and expectations of the client
organization. Desire2Learn's learning management solutions
enable users to fully customize: |
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Brand image, philosophy, pedagogy |
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Navigation bars, page layouts, and personal home
pages |
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Font sizes, colors, pictures, buttons, language,
and layouts for all tools and interfaces |
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Intelligent user-driven interface preferences
and accessibility |
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Unlimited organizational units, roles, and tool
level security policies |
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Users can also build custom tools with the Desire2Learn
Widget Designer
Administrators may also use the cost-effective
scalable enterprise architecture that is standards based
(IMS, SCORM, OKI) allowing rapid customization and full
integration with other systems (i.e. authentication
systems, student information systems, human resources,
registration systems), portals, learning object repositories,
content systems, etc.
Desire2Learn's product line includes:
Learning Platform -
This intuitive user-centric Learning Platform ( LMS
/LCMS) offers unparalleled flexibility, enterprise integration,
a complete learning management system, learning object
repository, security infrastructure, content and portal
management, and many other features under one fully
integrated platform. Most importantly, the system is
designed to give the organization complete control,
and capture the essence of the organization's philosophy
and design.
Learning Object Repository
- The Learning Object Repository technology
incorporates industry standards, such as SCORM, CanCore,
IMS, and others. It allows timely import of new
learning objects into a searchable repository where
instructors can quickly incorporate the appropriate
content into course topics within the Desire2Learn Learning
Management System.
Portal System - This
system enables the client to allow users quick and secure
access to relevant information from various sources
throughout the organization. These portals can also
simplify updates, minimize maintenance, solve integration
issues and integrate both internal and external systems,
such as news feeds, registration information, administrative
services, communication tools, etc.
ECommerce System - The
Desire2Learn eCommerce System is designed to quickly
integrate online transactions with registration systems,
and other existing financial solutions.
It provides a secure, sophisticated
and customizable solution to make and track purchases.
For organizations using the system for registration
in courses, it provides an efficient way to allow students
to pay for a course and log in immediately.
The eCommerce system also offers
real-time management and reporting features and can
provide complete transaction audit trails.
In addition to the above-mentioned
products, Desire2Learn also offers the following services: |
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Custom Application Development and Integration |
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Course Design and Conversion |
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Instructional Design |
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Graphic Design |
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Strategic Planning and Consulting |
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Support and Training |
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Hosting |
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Florida Distance Learning Consortium is the first MiCTA
Member to select the MiCTA/ATAlliance endorsed eLearning
Management program from Desire2Learn. The University of
West Florida and North Florida Community College recently
converted to the Desire2Learn platform. Daytona Beach
Community College is currently in the process of converting,
and Polk Community College will be switching over within
the next year. Additionally, several other Florida Community
Colleges and Universities are considering Desire2Learn's
eLearning platform.
Last spring, a faculty committee at the University of
West Florida conducted an evaluation of various eLearning
systems, and overwhelmingly selected Desire2Learn. Desire2Learn
was considered the best solution for both faculty and
students; and in nine weeks, approximately 400 courses
were converted for the fall semester. The faculty and
students are pleased with the capabilities, features,
and ease of use offered by the new system. In addition,
the staff was very impressed with the competence of
Desire2Learn's personnel and their willingness to incorporate
user suggestions into the product.
For more information about this new
and exciting program, please contact John Rathje at
888 870 8677 or jrathje@mictaservice.com
. You can also visit the Desire2Learn Website at
www.desire2learn.com. |
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As the window for filing for YR2004
funding under the USF (eRate) program opened on November
5 th , 2003 , we would like to remind K-12 and Library
members that the SLD will be adding "Roll-Over" monies
to the current $2.25 billion allocation. This will build
the total funding commitment for YR2004 to approximately
$2.65 billion, as recommended by the SLD at the recent
"Train-the-Trainer" seminar in Washington . The increase
in funding will enable participants with lower discount
percentages to take advantage of "Internal Connection"
funding.
Participants should
be sure that requests for Internal Connection funding
is referenced to and consistent with their "Approved"
Technology Plan. It should also be noted that the filing
window for Form 471 closes at 11:59 PM February 4 th
, 2004.
For new changes regarding Eligible Services, please
go to this location: http://204.76.13.135/data/ppt/2003/Eligible%20Services.ppt
MiCTA will strive to ensure that all USF related information
and materials, including the MiCTA website are updated
and include the most current information for YR2004. |
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This catalog is Brodart's biggest and best ever.
You won't want to miss a thing.
You'll discover 652 new products, from an expanded
archival and book jacket cover selection to the latest
in display! If you don't receive a copy by Jan 1, please
contact Brodart at:
Fax: 800-283-6087
Phone: 888-820-4377
Web site: www.shopbrodart.com/pricing/micta/
Email: supplies@brodart.com
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2003
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