RE: Educational and Entertainment software for Children's Public Access Computers (CPACs)

Observations:

• In the wake of the latest Gates Foundation funding rollout and in contrast to previous deployments where high quality turn-key systems were provided, affected public libraries are faced with the challenge of identifying, acquiring, installing, operating, and supporting CPAC application software entirely with in-house or contractural human resources.
  
  
• Hardware and software options were offered with the current rollout that appear to be designed to help ease the transition into a new CPAC environment; however, some of these options introduce issues that may make them undesirable or problematic alternatives.  For example, propriety solutions requiring an on-going relationship with an little known vendor or a software collection consisting of older titles that may also require complex computer configurations or obsolete installation methods.
  
  
• CDrom and local network server-based software installations, along with their installation and operation issues, will gradually give way to web-based application portals.  These can exist to serve users in a single building or be easily scaled to serve the entire planet.  The most significant issue with this approach is availability of Internet bandwidth to handle local demand.
  
  
• Benefits of application web portals:
  •  Anywhere, anytime accessability via the Internet.
  •  Consistent content available to geographically dispersed organizations or individuals.
  •  Central management of software installation, maintenance, and access control.
  •  No, or limited, special computer setup required to run web-based applications.
  •  Potential cost savings due to central management and limited impact on client computers.
    

Assume that the Polaris Library Consortium implemented such a system; specifically one that's currently offered by Riverdeep, a major and fast growing publisher of K-12 educational software.  We would acquire their portal engine (web-based application delivery system) and some or all currently available content. 

Included would be their Destination Success Reading, Destination success Math, and Early Learning series of software covering Pre-K to Grade 12.  These are state-of-the-art products that incorporate the best available educational content delivered with highly interactive interfaces and excellent multimedia presentation.

• Cost sharing, of course!  That's the best way to afford a product designed to be acquired for and implemented in school districts.  Many of the included features intended for teachers and school administrators would not be needed and can be by-passed for a public library deployment.
  
  
• Ongoing cost sharing.  As new modules become available from the publisher, we may want to add them to the Children's eLearning Portal.  When new titles are added, they become immediately available on all PLC CPACs (and APACs) as well as accessable to registered patrons for use at home!
  
  
• Instant success!  PLC would be able to offer patrons both library and home access to online educational software comparable to (or better than) what may be used in local school systems.
  
  
• Stress reduction.  Staff would no longer have to be concerned with educational software installed on library computers but only with launching the Children's eLearning Portal in a web browser.

The advanced browser-based technology in LMS 3.0 offers a number of important new benefits for districts:
• Anywhere, anytime learning: LMS 3.0 allows schools to extend the learning day by delivering standardized content to anyone with an Internet connection, whether at school or home, via LAN or dial-up connection.
• Improved productivity and efficiency: The system facilitates district-wide data management from single location.
• Flexible delivery: Curriculum can be managed from any location, so teachers can review student achievement and make assignments without having physical access to servers.
• Cost effective: Centralized district deployment which requires minimal hardware. Single-point administration and maintenance greatly reduces total cost of ownership.

Houghton Mifflin Company, the US-based publisher of educational books/materials, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Ireland's HM Rivergroup PLC for about $3.4 billion ($1.8 billion in cash, and the assumption of some $1.6 billion in debt).  In addition to purchasing Houghton Mifflin, the newly established HM Rivergroup will also acquire Riverdeep Holdings Ltd, a US publisher of interactive educational and personal publishing products, in a share-for-share swap valuing Riverdeep at upwards of $1.2 billion, including the assumption of debt.  Upon completion of the acquisitions, which is expected to happen before the end of 2006, HM Rivergroup will change its name to Houghton Mifflin Riverdeep Group PLC.