New software simplifies importing learning objects into Notebook software
CALGARY, ALBERTA --- June 19, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that Gallery Publisher software will be available in August for Windows® operating systems. Gallery Publisher software enables publishers and educators to optimize their multimedia content for Notebook™ collaborative learning software and then import it into the Gallery, Notebook software’s searchable repository of thousands of digital images and multimedia resources. Designed specifically for education publishers who want to convert large banks of learning objects to Notebook software format, Gallery Publisher speeds up the production and distribution of digital resources for SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards. This is a significant step forward as interactive whiteboard adoption in education escalates and as teachers need more and more curriculum-based digital content. SMART is the only interactive whiteboard provider to support the development and integration of content in this way.
Using Gallery Publisher software, publishers and others can simultaneously convert large numbers of digital learning objects to a file format compatible with Notebook software, the whiteboarding application platform for SMART Board interactive whiteboards. This process allows users to easily import digital learning objects into the Gallery. The content can include images, sound, Adobe® Flash® and video files. Gallery Publisher also allows users to create and publish their own curriculum-based content. Files created with Gallery Publisher can be published to a network, on a webpage or sent to other Notebook software users on a CD-ROM. When opened, the file automatically installs the content into a new folder in the Gallery.
“For educators, the development of up-to-date and engaging content is vital for keeping students interested in the curriculum,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “Gallery Publisher has been created to help education publishers and others use Notebook software to prepare, share and manage engaging digital content.”
Features
Easy to use – Gallery Publisher for Notebook software was created for schools, education districts and content publishers to simplify the creation and distribution on content. Users can quickly package and publish digital content on a webpage, on a shared network drive or on a CD-ROM. When opened, the file automatically installs the content into a new folder in the Gallery without any complicated file transfers or downloads.
Seamless integration with Notebook software – The Notebook software Gallery insertion tool converts digital content into a file format compatible with Notebook software. When opened, the file automatically installs the content into a new folder in Notebook software. The content can then be accessed in the same way that a user currently accesses the Essentials for Educators Gallery content.
Simplifies content sharing – Gallery Publisher allows publishers, district and schools to publish Gallery content on a shared network drive, on a webpage or on a CD-ROM.
Identification of ownership – Digital learning objects packaged and published by Gallery Publisher can be tagged with ownership information.
Pricing and availability
A trial version of Gallery Publisher software will be available to download for a limited time at no charge for SMART Board software users in August 2007 at www.smarttech.com/support. The full version of the software has an MSRP of US$299 and will be available in early 2008.