StudyMate Class Server is a new application from Respondus where teachers and students create study materials in a web-based, collaborative environment. This is certainly one of the most exciting products Respondus has ever developed.

Three simple templates are used to enter terms or questions from sources such as class lecture or textbooks. The data is then transformed into interactive activities and games ranging from simple flash cards to full-featured game shows.

StudyMate Class Server integrates seamlessly with course management systems, providing a single sign-on solution and integration with gradebooks. Questions created by students using the Multiple Choice template can also be copied directly to the course management system's own assessment tool by the instructor.

For the past few months we’ve been beta testing StudyMate Class Server with select customers. The feedback has been fantastic! We are now opening the beta release to additional institutions, although the current integration is only available for the Blackboard Learning System (Enterprise 6.3+, Vista 4.0+, CE 6.0+). StudyMate Class Server requires that a "Building Block" or "PowerLink" be installed on the Blackboard server, so we recommend having the Blackboard administrator involved with the beta program.

You can learn more about StudyMate Class Server, including instructions for signing up for the beta program, by going to http://www.respondus.com/studymateclass.

One more thing. Our marketing team wants to keep StudyMate Class Server a secret until mid-July. But our development group wants as many beta participants as possible. So to keep both sides happy, we ask that half of your staff promote this extensively at your institution and that the other half keep it a guarded secret!

Source: Respondus, Inc. (www.respondus.com)
Originally Published: June 30, 2008

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