TORONTO, ON –August 5, 2010 - Spongelab Interactive, an Ontario-based educational gaming company, is set to launch new History of Biology game for the upcoming school year, September 7, 2010. History of Biology gets high school students to unlock the secrets behind biology. Students Grades 8 – 12 act as detectives to decipher the truth behind some of the greatest monoliths in science.

History of Biology, presented by Spongelab Interactive is an online science-themed scavenger hunt where students learn about the key figures and discoveries throughout history which have influenced the field of science. The game will lead players to discover the impact of these people and events on today’s society, ethics, politics and culture. www.spongelab.com/history  

This new game is just one of the interactive simulations available for play in the Spongelab Biology educational game portfolio. Last February, Spongelab Interactive took home first prize in the National Science Foundation’s 2009 Visualization Challenge in the Interactive Media Category for their award winning Genomics Digital Lab (GDL) which allows students to explore the story of energy and ‘play the biology’. Currently used in over 65 countries, GDL has been transforming the way students and teachers interact with biology in the classroom, at home and from any internet connected computer they have access to. www.exploreGDL.com

Text books in classrooms becoming obsolete. Is Canada ready?

Products like Spongelab Interactive’s GDL and the soon to be released History of Biology are helping teachers connect to their students in a fresh new way. “It can be a challenge for students to visualize the parts of the cell and the processes that occur within them; Genomics Digital Lab not only gives students a great visual tool but allows them to explore the biology.  Good resources in French are particularly difficult to find, and GDL offers their product in both English and French,” says Sabrina Amato, Grade 11&12 Biology Teacher, French Public School Board (CSDCSO).

“Our students have changed and so must our education system. It is our duty to prepare our graduates for a technology and innovation based work force. The ability to interact with technology has the potential to play an enormous role in student development and their future success,” says Dr. Jeremy Friedberg, co-founder of Spongelab Interactive. 

With enrollment in Science and Math declining it’s critically important that we get students engaged, but is Canada ready? In Texas, the legislature adopted a bill in 2009 that provides funds and supports technology for e-textbooks. States like Indiana and Michigan have purchased software for schools that, much like History of Biology and all Spongelab Biology products, have included metrics and assessment tools to give teachers an accurate understanding of how their students are learning and progressing through the content, while facilitating grading. In June 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his support in adopting e-textbooks and e-learning. It’s imperative that Canadian Ministries and School Boards also take steps to ensure that our students have access to technology and are supporting Canadian businesses committed to innovative learning and educational assets.

College alliance proves winning combination for game development

When Spongelab set out to create the History of Biology in a way that teachers, students and gaming enthusiasts would connect with, we knew that the game had to deal with this subject matter in a very unique way and would require a specific game engine.

The result gained through a solid partnership with Centennial College’s Paula Demacio, biotechnology professor and students from Centennial’s Game Art and Design program; is an interactive on-line scavenger hunt. Alex Maslov, Centennial student and now employee with Spongelab’s parent company, was challenged to build an engine that randomizes types of missions posed to players and how the answers are received to ensure different experiences for each player. The project has been partially funded by the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation.

The partnership between Spongelab Interactive, Centennial College and its Applied Research and Innovation Centre has proven to be a strong one. The Applied Research and Innovation Centre connects students to businesses like Spongelab Interactive. The results are noteworthy as seven Centennials students contributed to the development of the History of Biology game.

About Spongelab: Spongelab Interactive is a leader in advancing the integration of cutting edge technologies for teaching and learning purposes. Their mission is to educate learners in the sciences by building content rich immersive teaching tools designed around discovery-based learning. Spongelab Interactive builds their own products and offers custom production services for the global education community.  Their unique approach around integrating educational design with web & gaming technology is planting the seeds for continued innovation of advanced communication and education products. www.spongelab.com

Contact:

Dr. Jeremy N. Friedberg

Spongelab Interactive

590 King Street West, Suite 201

Toronto, ON M5V 1M3

contact@spongelab.com

Desire2Learn responds to fire rescue need for efficient, timely, cost-effective training through implementation of Desire2Learn^® Learning Suite

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, Aug 24, 2010   Desire2Learn Incorporated¹³ (Desire2Learn), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise eLearning solutions, will demonstrate how it is enabling fire rescue services to reduce injuries and save lives by providing better training at the annual Fire-Rescue International (FRI) Conference¹⁴ being held in Chicago from August 24 – 28, 2010.

There are several indisputable facts in firefighting: one of these is that training saves lives – the lives of both the victims of fire as well as the lives of fire fighters. Through implementation of the Desire2Learn Learning Management System (LMS)¹⁵, better training which is learner-centric, quantifiable and in alignment with departmental learning objectives, can be developed and presented resulting in engaged learners, delivery of standards-based outcomes and a reduction in overall training costs.

In one of the exclusive conference Solutions Showcases¹⁶, Desire2Learn Sales Manager, Jay Murdoch, will profile the recent Case Study, "E-Learning Implementation in Fire Rescue," constructed in partnership with the City of Edmonton Fire and Rescue Services (EFRS)¹⁷. EFRS realized a 3-year cumulative cost avoidance of almost $1.5 million dollars (Cdn) after deploying a limited number of courses through Desire2Learn Learning Suite¹⁸.

"Since its deployment in the last quarter of 2006, the use of the Desire2Learn LMS has contributed to substantial cost avoidance, direct cost savings, due diligence with respect to compliance training issues, and learning around critical incidents," states Ellen Whybrow, M.Ed. PMP, E-Learning Project, Edmonton Fire and Rescue Services. "The implementation of an eLearning training methodology, and the significant results attained over the past three years, has proven the value of this technology as a corporate training tool."

The Solutions Showcase will be held on Friday, August 27 at 3 p.m. ET in Room S502AB of McCormick Place¹⁹.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to best serve the needs and requirements of our clients, Desire2Learn is providing organizations, like fire rescue services, with cost-effective means to deliver lifesaving training," says John Baker, President & CEO, Desire2Learn. "There are many opportunities for leveraging Desire2Learn Learning Suite to enable our clients to realize extensive time and cost-savings."

To learn about Desire2Learn Learning Suite, visit www.Desire2Learn.com/experienceit²⁰. To find out how to provide better training at a lower cost for both fire fighters and civilians, call 1.888.772.0325end_of_the_skype_highlighting or contact Sales@Desire2Learn.com²¹ for further information.

About Desire2Learn

Desire2Learn²² comprises Desire2Learn Incorporated and its subsidiaries. Desire2Learn Incorporated is a world-leading provider of enterprise eLearning solutions that enable institutions and other organizations to create teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision, values, goals, pedagogical approaches and branding. Desire2Learn and its subsidiaries support more than five million learners worldwide and clients²³ include higher education²⁴, K-12²⁵, as well as associations²⁶, government²⁷ and other leading organizations. Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn is headquartered in Kitchener, ON, Canada with personnel located in North America, the U.K. and Australia. For more information, visit: www.Desire2Learn.com²⁸, call 1.519.772.0325end_of_the_skype_highlighting or toll-free 1.888.772.0325 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (within North America), +44 808.234.4235 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (U.K. and Europe), 0.800.452.069 (New Zealand) and 1.800.656.210 (Australia).

###

John McLeod
Director of Marketing
Desire2Learn Incorporated
519.772.0325 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              519.772.0325      end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 378
PR@Desire2Learn.com²⁹

An E-Learning Conference 2010 will be held September 16th - 17th, and the Expo will be held September 15th - 18th in Seoul, Korea.  It is being organized by:

• Korea Education & Research Information Service (KERIS)
• Korea Creative Content Agency
• National IT Industry Promotion Agency
• Korea Education Frontier Association
• Korea Edu-Tainment Industry Association
• Korea e-Learning Industry Association

The abstract submission deadline has been extended by July 16th.  More information is available at the website:

http://nplayer.kr/elearningweek/mail/mail_20100702_eng.html

The e-Learning Week 2010 homepage is available at http://www.elearningasia.net/_eng/_main/main.php.

More details regarding the conference focus are available at:  http://www.elearningasia.net/_eng/_about/sub_02.php?m=02

Creation of Desire2Learn Australia Pty Ltd. provides local commitment to Asia-Pacific region

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, and Sydney, Australia, Jul 7, 2010

Desire2Learn Incorporated (Desire2Learn), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise eLearning solutions, continues its client-focused commitment with the establishment of its newest subsidiary, Desire2Learn Australia Pty Ltd., providing local presence for both clients and prospects in the Asia-Pacific region.

Brisbane Grammar School, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu - The Correspondence School, Curriculum Council of Western Australia (CCWA), amongst others, are part of the growing list of clients in the region who will benefit from having direct access to Desire2Learn personnel in the area.

The Desire2Learn Australia Pty Ltd. team, who have extensive backgrounds in international education and eLearning, has been hired within the region. Heading up these efforts are: Chris Jones - Regional Sales Director and Ian Smissen - Director, eLearning Strategies.

"We are very pleased to be announcing the establishment of our subsidiary in the Asia-Pacific region," states John Baker, President & CEO, Desire2Learn. "This region has demonstrated its leadership in adopting eLearning technology. We are looking forward to the continued growth of our local teams and helping clients achieve their goals and vision."

The team is actively engaged in a number of events throughout the year. See them at: ascilite, HERDSA, and other events they will be attending in the next few months. For more information, or to meet with a member of the team, please contact Chris Jones, Regional Sales Director at Chris.Jones@Desire2Learn.com

To learn about Desire2Learn® Learning Management System (LMS), ePortfolio or other products, please visit www.Desire2Learn.com.

About Desire2Learn Incorporated

Desire2Learn comprises Desire2Learn Incorporated and its subsidiaries. Desire2Learn is a world-leading provider of enterprise eLearning solutions that enable institutions and other organisations to create teaching and learning environments that reflect their vision, values, goals, pedagogical approaches and branding. Desire2Learn supports more than five million learners worldwide and clients include higher education, K-12, as well as associations, government and other leading organisations. Founded in 1999, Desire2Learn is headquartered in Kitchener, ON, Canada with personnel located in North America, the U.K. and Australia. For more information, visit: www.Desire2Learn.com, call 1.519.772.0325 or toll-free 1.888.772.0325 (within North America), +44 808.234.4235 (U.K. and Europe), 0.800.452.069 (New Zealand) and 1.800.656.210 (Australia).

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John McLeod
Director of Marketing
Desire2Learn Incorporated
519.772.0325 ext. 378
PR@Desire2Learn.com

Speaker Proposals due August 27, 2010

E-Learn--World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education is an international conference organized by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) and co-sponsored by the International Journal on E-Learning.

This annual conference serves as a multi-disciplinary forum for the exchange of information on research, development, and applications of all topics related to e-Learning in the Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education sectors.

"The International Forum for Researchers, Developers, and Practitioners to Learn about the Best Practices/Technology in Education, Government, Healthcare, and Business"

For more information please visit http://www.aace.org/conf/elearn/

Please see attached the invitation/registration form for the Nov. 29-Dec. 2 Ontario trade mission to Orlando and ITTSEC (www.iitsec.org). This mission is of interest to: companies in the e-Learning and Modelling & Simulation sectors who wish to do business with U.S. and international prime contractors, large integrators and distributors such as SAIC, Lockheed Martin, L3Comm, Adobe, HP, CAE, Rockwell and BAE systems, as well as government agencies.  A similar Ontario mission last year received a 90% satisfaction rating.  The program includes:

1.     Turnkey exhibit space in the 20’ x 20’ Ontario Pavilion – includes signage, electricity and Internet access.

2.     An exclusive breakfast meeting with local executives from major system integrators and distributors

3.     A Market Briefing with key influencers who will provide an overview on Floridas’ security sector.

4.     Assistance with identifying prospects in the region, including lists of distributors and VARs.

5.     A list of trade events scheduled in the targeted area to help you to maintain the momentum.

6.     A list of all the contacts made during the mission

Cost: US $2,200 per company (Early bird registration until July 31 is $2,000).  4 spaces still available

Mauricio Ospina
Area Director, ICT sector
International Trade Branch - Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
6th Floor, Hearst Block, 900 Bay St.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M7A 2E1
Tel. (416) 325 6151, Mobile: (416) 845 0862
Fax (416) 325 6509
mauricio.ospina@ontario.ca
www.ontarioexports.com

We received the following email message today announcing a major change in the elearning landscape.  For more information visit http://www.blackboard.com/sites/collaborate/index.htm.

_____________________________________________________

Today, we announced that Elluminate, Wimba, and Blackboard will join forces to bring together the leading technology products for synchronous learning and collaboration – and the minds that created them – in what we hope will be a major step forward to pursue new innovation. 

We heard directly from our clients that these products are rapidly growing in importance as formal and informal collaboration – in a variety of settings within and beyond the delivery of online courses – becomes increasingly fundamental to the learning process.  

This combination joins like-minded, education-focused organizations to invest in solutions that impact teaching and learning.  Working together to form a new and independent Blackboard Collaborate product platform, we believe we can accelerate powerful new innovation at a rate faster, and to an end much more impactful for educators, than any of our organizations could have achieved alone.  The new platform group will operate under the strategic guidance of Ray Henderson, who oversees Blackboard’s overall teaching and learning strategy, and will be led by Elluminate’s Maurice Heiblum, who will assume the role of President, Blackboard Collaborate.

We are excited about the longer term promise of this new platform, but we realize that you will naturally have questions about the short term impacts of this news.  So we wanted to communicate with you immediately to let you know that we will continue to support open APIs and the Building Block architecture for this new platform, including Elluminate and Wimba integrations for open source products.  It is our strategy to do the same for the bridges that have been built by commercial LMS providers.  In essence, we hope to continue all of our current partnerships, including those within our developer community, and we look forward to building new ones around this platform as our new team comes together over time. 

Please feel free to channel your thoughts directly to our partner team at collaborateleadership@blackboard.com.  We’ve also established an information resource with anticipated FAQs for clients that will answer some of the immediate questions you may have.  We’re very optimistic about the benefit that our collective investment in, and passion for, education collaboration can produce for teachers and learners worldwide.  And we look forward to talking more with you about this news in the coming weeks.

Yours Sincerely,

Aboute Claude Martel

As a well-establish practitioner and educator in the training and education  community of Quebec, he has been in the forefront in the development and application of Human Performance Technology and distance education technology in schools and corporations.
 
He has over 25 years of experience in education, management, training and educational technology, and has held senior roles in large organizations like Pratt & Whitney Canada, Telus, Hydro-Québec and DMR (Fujitsu) Consulting.
 
He is currently the Program and Project Manager of the international accreditation management program for airport managers (IAP website). This is a joint program with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and ACI (Airport Council International).
 
For the last 20 years, he has taught bachelor and master level courses at Concordia and Ottawa University in the field of Communication Studies and Educational Technology.
 
In addition, he has managed over 60 projects and has implemented HR, communication and training technologies solutions in over 30 large organizations.

If you did not manage to sit in on the June 3 CeLEA webinar on modelling and simulation, you can access a complete recording of the event at http://iapaero.na5.acrobat.com/p94001668/.