Instructors can now instantly incorporate Facebook, Twitter and text messaging into and beyond the classroom
WAYNE, N.J., Oct. 27, 2009 — ConnectYard, Inc., a leading provider of social and mobile technologies for educational institutions, today announced the formal launch of its new QuickConnect Widget which integrates Facebook, Twitter, text messaging and email into a single communication thread within popular learning management system (LMS) solutions, including Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle, Sakai and others. QuickConnect is a widget, or HTML badge, that can be easily added by instructors to courses on their LMS. The new feature allows students and instructors to communicate on their time and with their preferred media, thereby making learning possible anytime and anywhere.
Students post their thoughts and questions on lecture, homework, etc. through the QuickConnect Widget. Those messages are then delivered to other class members via their favorite social networking site, mobile phone or email. Both students and instructors have the option of replying to posts via Facebook, Twitter, text message or email. All responses are then added to the discussion thread within the course for other students and instructors to view and respond to. Threaded discussions can be forwarded to other classes and groups to expand the conversation and stored in a searchable knowledgebase for the benefit of future students.
One of the key benefits of QuickConnect is leveraging the communication technology of choice, including Facebook, Twitter and text messaging to communicate without the need for "friending" and "texting" students directly – so there are no privacy concerns. Instructors are not required to join any social network; they can respond to queries directly via email, while allowing students to participate in the conversation using their preferred mode of communication. Since QuickConnect supports asynchronous messaging, students can post queries and replies when they are studying after hours and instructors can respond during normal business hours.
"Email alone is no longer an effective tool to reach today's students and although some students rarely log into their institution's LMS, they check their phones and Facebook accounts multiple times per day," said Donald Doane, the Company's CEO. "The QuickConnect Widget provides an optimal channel for instructors to reach and connect with students outside of the classroom where they live and socialize."
The company will host a webinar on Thursday, October 29th at 1:00PM EDT entitled, "How to Make Your Learning Management System More Social," in which it will feature its new QuickConnect Widget. The webinar is free and open to public. Event registration information is available on the company's website at .
About ConnectYard
ConnectYard specializes in helping institutions effectively leverage the power of social and mobile media to improve the educational experience by extending the learning environment outside of the classroom into where students live and socialize – online. The Company's Web 2.0 solutions are built upon a foundation of proven success and customer-driven innovation with a high focus on enhancing learning and building community amongst students.
ConnectYard, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey. For more information on how ConnectYard can help your institution maximize student recruitment and retention, please visit http://www.connectyard.com or contact us at 973-494-8041.
CONTACT:
Mike Norris
ConnectYard, Inc.
508 Hamburg Turnpike,
105D, Wayne, NJ 07470
973.494.8041
Email
http://www.connectyard.com
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