14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is no stranger to projects designed to boost the standard for teaching and learning. And the next-generation Learning Village built in partnership with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology is an illustrative example of one of the company's scholastic initiatives. At the basis of the new Learning Village are Microsoft products, namely Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 and the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0.
"This alliance between Microsoft and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology is built from a common goal to create powerful learning communities within and beyond the classroom. Microsoft's technology scale and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's content expertise will together change the K-12 education market and atmosphere," noted Anthony Salcito, general manager of Education for Microsoft.
The solutions center for education is set up as a complex portal addressing both educators and students. The end purpose is to centralize educational content and learning resources and make them available through a singular sign-on solution. "Learning Village showcases how teachers, students and parents all benefit when lesson plans, content and curricula are centralized and accessible," explained Scott Kirkpatrick, president, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology.
But perhaps most importantly, the new Learning Village contributes to bridging the gap between all involved in the educational process, teachers or students, by offering comprehensive development, communication and collaborative capabilities. The entire learning portal can be accessed through a SharePoint-based sign-on application, offering users a unified web environment, customized and tailored to the specific needs of its audience.
"As a leading K-12 global education company, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provides rich instructional materials and ease of use for districts large and small. Learning Village combines Microsoft's technology platform with innovative curriculum management to deliver an incredible level of teaching and learning resources to the educational experience - making teachers more productive, students more engaged and parents more informed," Kirkpatrick added.