The LP+4 learning platform now offers full integration and single sign-on with Microsoft Office365. This means that LP+4 users can have access to Outlook Live, Lync and Office Web Applications from within the LP+4 learning platform and without need to login again.

Together with Office365, LP+4 delivers a whole new suite of online tools to improve collaboration and productivity where students and teachers are able to create, upload, edit and share Office documents and access emails, instant message and access calendars online from any device with a browser and internet access – even if schools do not have Microsoft Office installed on their computers.

Mehool Sanghrajka, CEO, Learning Possibilities said

“LP+ has always been in the cloud and we have always recognised the collaboration, cost and efficiency benefits that a hosted and managed service brings. I am delighted that we are now able to offer Microsoft office, mail and infrastructure solutions fully integrated into LP+4. Schools will be the real winners here.”

Steve Beswick, Microsoft Education Director said

“It’s great to see leading partners such as Learning Possibilities bring what they do best to the Microsoft platforms in education. Learning Possibilities really understands how to make technology work in Education. They understand how teachers and students need to interact, providing a solution that really transforms the learning experience and use of technology in and outside of the classroom. The LP+ solution brings the benefits of cloud and blends that with their innovative learning platform.”

The LP+4 learning platform will be available to schools with Office365 integration later this year.

The LP+4 learning platform was assessed on the ability to share information with the management information system (MIS) in operation in schools and quality of elements such as user management; learner information management; digital learning resource management, curriculum and learning management and communication and collaboration management.

Mehool Sanghrajka, CEO, Learning Possibilities commented:

“We are delighted to have been selected. We believe the Framework offers an excellent route for schools and authorities to purchase our Learning Platform.”

With a range of new personalisation features, the new LP+4 from Learning Possibilities moves away from institutional-centred platforms to providing a user-centric experience with new themes, a menu ribbon, gadget store and an integrated status-wall. The new toolbar brings instant access to web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis and discussions providing learners with contemporary ways to learn, question, share ideas, broadcast knowledge.

LP+4 makes it easy to create learning spaces where students collaborate on projects. Integration with online Microsoft web apps means that students learn to use real-world software and are better prepared for the workplace. Most importantly students can access this vibrant learning community from wherever they are, whenever they like through any connected device – bringing learning to their fingertips and into their world.

LP+4 is the latest online learning solution from Learning Possibilities. The LP+4 system is based on the very latest web technology and social networking concepts. It embraces approaches and media types, such as video, social networking, digital content, and rich user interfaces that will become even more important as we progress into a new era.

We have seen the learning platform space grown from basic online storage into connected learning communities. Through the success of our existing product sets, we have gained a substantial learning community who are using our platform as part of their daily learning and teaching activities. The usage of this platform and its global presence gives us an insight into the world of the learner and from this we have been able to get a view of what next generation learning platforms need to provide. It is now time for us to set a new standard with LP+4.

LP+4 enables schools to have maximum, choice and flexibility, a platform that can be organised and customised around the user. Providing learners with contemporary ways to learn, question, share ideas, broadcast knowledge and follow personalized learning paths, students can learn at their own pace and get immediate feedback .

Widgets, templates and gadgets on LP+4 make it easy to create learning spaces where students collaborate on projects. Integration with online Microsoft web apps means that students learn to use real-world software and are better prepared for the workplace. Most importantly students can access this vibrant learning community from wherever they are, whenever they like through any connected device – bringing learning to their fingertips and into their world.

Mehool Sanghrajka, CEO, Learning Possibilities said at the launch:

“We are more excited about LP+ 4 than ever. A platform designed by teachers with education at its heart, but integrated into the connected world beyond. Our ability to create a true product on SharePoint, rather than just templates and themes, has resulted in a vibrant, interactive and intuitive solution.”

Learning Possibilities and Kuwait based Diyar have formed a joint venture to serve Middle Eastern markets. The partnership will deliver Diyar ICT services, the LP+ learning platform to governments, private schools and education groups.

The LP+4 learning platform will form a key part of the State’s strategy to improve the quality of education in public schools through e-learning. The LP+4 platform will be deployed locally in Kuwait and will be rolled out to all secondary schools in the State in the coming months. The solution also includes training based on the LP+ ADOPT framework for staff at the MoE and schools. LP+ ADOPT was recently selected by BECTA as the basis of the National Learning Platform Maturity Model.

Mehool Sanghrajka, Learning Possibilities’ CEO commented

“We are delighted to be expanding abroad with an opportunity of this scale. We are confident that together we will successfully deliver an e-learning project that will contribute to transforming the quality of education in the State’s schools.”

Becta has selected the ADOPT Framework as a model for the national learning platform maturity model.

Learning Possibilities (LP+) and Wolverhampton City Council are pleased to be working with Becta, following a formal competitive process, on a model that will become the basis of a national learning platform maturity framework available to all English education institutions and partners in 2010.

The maturity framework is based upon the ADOPT Framework – developed by Learning Possibilities and the Wolverhampton City Council CYP e-services team – and the technology adoption principles of Hooper and Rieber.

The ADOPT Framework proceeeds through five stages allowing schools to gauge their level of development, measure successes and plot a course to school transformation using the learning platform as a key vehicle for delivering against school improvement objectives and policy areas.

Professor Stephen Heppell commented:

“I believe that the ADOPT framework is the ‘bit’ that is currently missing in guidance to schools – and school leaders in particular – around implementing a learning platform; the bit which bridges technologies, transformation and people.”

The ADOPT Framework was completed in July 2009 following several months of pilot work. It was written with both partners contributing on a pedagogical and technical level. It was then presented and put in context for other schools and local authorities. Feedback in and beyond Wolverhampton has been overwhelmingly positive.

Our ADOPT book, “The ADOPT Framework – Supporting schools to transform using the learning platform” will be published in January 2010.

Becta is the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning. It is Becta’s ambition to utilise the benefits of technology to create a more exciting, rewarding and successful experience for learners of all ages and abilities, enabling them to achieve their potential.

Learning Possibilities announced as winners of the ‘ICT Education Partnership’ category of the BETT 2010 Awards for our work with Wolverhampton City Council.

The winners of the BETT Awards 2010, the most prestigious and sought-after accolade for educational technology suppliers, were announced on the opening day of BETT, the world’s largest educational technology event.

The award-wiining partnership between Learning Possibilities and Wolverhampton has resulted in a wide range of successful outcomes – including the development of the ADOPT Framework.

The BETT Award judges said:

“Learning Possibilities demonstrated evidence of an effective partnership based on shared values and an ethos of transforming education. The partnership has enabled the local authority to provide bespoke support and entry points to the learning platform rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.”

A research study led by Lancaster University has shown the value of the LP+ learning platform within Wolverhampton schools.Schools included in the study described the value of being able to involve pupils in creative practices that can be captured and held on the learning platform.

The study, carried out in conjunction with Senior Research Fellow Don Passey, of Lancaster University, and the Wolverhampton Local Authority, looked at use of the LP+ learning platform within the city’s schools.

The summary report includes the key findings of research undertaken and highlights the benefits of using a learning platform. The report also indicates that use of the learning platform to support administration and communication, tasks such as sending newsletters to parents and photocopying, can save a two class entry primary school over £38,000 per annum – a benefit of over ten times the initial costs of the LP+ learning platform.

The research also provides feedback about the support, development and implementation practices and processes undertaken with evidence gathered from a number of sources including teachers, school managers and local authority staff.

The report shows that schools implementing and adopting the learning platform are establishing as a central service within the school – supporting pupils, teachers managers and parents.

Schools included in the study described the value of being able to involve pupils in creative practices that can be captured and held on the learning platform. This provides opportunities for pupils to review and reflect on their activities and experiences. Some schools are finding that reluctant writers and communicators are being supported through use of the learning platform’s discussion areas. These factors have resulted in more homework being completed and shows that pupils are engaging in learning over a longer period of time and during extended hours.

Schools that have focused on improving parental involvement and engagement are finding that the learning platform offers them further opportunities to extend their programmes.