Windows+Live.edu

Windows Live@edu in disguise!
The heading looked attractive, but I almost walked out after the first three minutes because this was clearly going to evolve to nothing more than a session on Windows.Live. I had looked at this a couple of years ago and wasn't that impressed, you see. But as you get older, you begin to develop a little more tolerance and grace, so I stayed, and I **__think__** I'm pleased that I did.

I'm pleased because the session was most interesting: Windows.Live has become very capable, very security concious, very easy to use. In very many respects it is like an LMS, but - //trumpet sounds -// it's free! It is web-based, and you can import your students and set up classes just as you would on Ultranet. You can set up pages for classes, import native MS Office files that behave perfectly, embed videos, give parents access ... and more.

If we weren't committed to Ultranet, I would recommend we all had a VERY GOOD LOOK at this opportunity. Maybe it has its flaws and drawbacks, but after 90 minutes, I didn't find them, whereas I found my first Ultranet ones from the outset. Now you see why I made a bit of a fuss about that word **"think"** up above. If I hadn't gone, I wouldn't have compared the two.

The installation of this stuff is supported and free, and the company contracted to roll it out seems service focused and interested in doing the job very well. There is ongoing development, and options to customise although that comes at a fee - a very reasonable fee.

Have a bit of a look on the web. You might find you like it too. Here's a link: []