IBM goes live with Virtual Classroom

IBM Corp. recently launched the first module of its next-generation e-learning software, the IBM Lotus LearningSpace—Virtual Classroom.

Built on proven IBM Lotus collaborative technologies, Lotus LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom is an easy-to-deploy, cost-effective e-learning system that enables real-time collaboration between instructors and learners.

With e-learning playing a crucial role in solving business problems and shortening product development cycles, Lotus LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom can help organizations rapidly implement and benefit from an e-learning solution.

Lotus LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom is IBM’s first e-learning offering for both new and existing customers in need of virtual classroom capabilities.

IBM said it’s an ideal solution for organizations that need to frequently and efficiently train geographically dispersed employees, partners and suppliers on critical matters such as compliance with industry regulations, new product introductions and business transformations.

The standards-based architecture of Lotus LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom, which is modular in design, can help protect IT investments by enabling easy integration with existing lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) systems and with the learning management system (LMS), available from IBM Lotus by yearend.

LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom is built on Lotus collaborative technologies such as IBM Lotus Sametime, the company’s instant messaging and Web-conferencing platform.

It offers whiteboarding and application sharing that provide students with virtual "hands-on" training, and allows users to conduct real-time sessions with many collaborative capabilities, including awareness and chat features for interaction among students and with the instructor.

The advanced administrative features of Lotus LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom allow instructors to develop class outlines, track attendance and certify completion of courses, and secure immediate feedback on the effectiveness of courses to help ensure that learners are consistently involved and learning within existing budget constraints. The record and playback capabilities allow students and instructors to archive sessions for later use.

"Virtual Classroom quickly demonstrates to the customer the impact of e-learning in an easy-to-implement, relatively low-cost, low-risk way," said Susan Lawler, global offerings manager of IBM Mindspan Solutions.

"Developed by the leader in workplace collaboration, Virtual Classroom offers customers the breadth and depth of technology innovation and support designed to accommodate their e-learning needs as their organization grows," Lawler added.

Lotus LearningSpace-Virtual Classroom is available through Passport Advantage, IBM’s worldwide volume licensing program for distributed software, and is based on a per processor licensing model.