Cengage Learning and Unicon Partner to Deliver Integrated Digital Solutions to the Sakai Open Source Community Using MindLinks

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cengage Learning, a leading global provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Unicon to improve interoperability of Cengage Learning's digital content and solutions within the open source Sakai courseware management platform. The integration will enhance the implementation of the IMS LTI standard that is developed and maintained by the Sakai community. All source code developed in this partnership will be contributed back to the Sakai project under an open source license.

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"The Sakai Foundation is pleased to have Cengage Learning and Unicon contribute this work to Sakai CLE," said Ian Dolphin, Executive Director of the Sakai Foundation. "LTI is a particularly important standard for the future of Sakai. The fact that Cengage Learning is working through the standards process and partnering with a trusted Sakai Commercial Affiliate like Unicon to work with the core Sakai developers and contribute the code as open source is a strong indication that they understand how to collaborate with higher education."

The collaboration leverages the power of Cengage Learning's MindLinks integration to deliver improved ease of use for students, instructors and administrators. MindLinks is a new service provided by Cengage Learning to allow for deeper integration of Cengage Learning's digital suite into an institution's existing Learning Management System.  The service works by using portable links that allow two-way communication between a Learning Management System and a Cengage digital product.  Full integration via MindLinks is planned for users of Cengage Learning digital solutions including Aplia, CourseMate, CengageNow, and MindTap, which will include single sign on and seamless links to content and gradebook export.

"We're glad to see publishers like Cengage implementing open standards like IMS LTI.  Their approach lets higher education combine best-of-breed content, functionality, and management to implement their preferred approach to teaching and learning. We are proud to have Unicon involved in this endeavor," said John C. Blakley, CEO of Unicon.

"One of the greatest benefits of our MindLinks integration is the ability for us to work with LMS providers in order to utilize the best platform features, while integrating our content and solutions into an environment in which their customers are most comfortable," said Bill Rieders, Executive Vice President, Global Strategy & Business Development, Cengage Learning.

For more information, contact [email protected].

About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning is a leading provider of innovative teaching, learning and research solutions for the academic, professional and library markets worldwide. The company's products and services are designed to foster academic excellence and professional development, increase student engagement, improve learning outcomes and deliver authoritative information to people whenever and wherever they need it. Through the company's unique position within both the library and academic markets, Cengage Learning is providing integrated learning solutions that bridge from the library to the classroom.  Cengage Learning's brands include Brooks/Cole, Course Technology, Delmar, Gale, Heinle, South-Western and Wadsworth, among others. For more information on Cengage Learning please visit www.cengage.com.

About Unicon

Unicon, Inc. is a leading provider of IT consulting services for the education market. Unicon works closely with colleges, universities, and corporations to find the best solutions to meet their business challenges.  Unicon specializes in using open source technologies to deliver flexible and cost-effective systems in the areas of enterprise portals, learning management systems, identity and access management, online video, calendaring, email, and collaboration. Unicon is a Sakai Commercial Affiliate; an InCommon Affiliate and Participant; an Industry Member of Internet2; a Jasig and VMware Partner; an authorized Solution Provider for CAS, uPortal, and VMware; a services partner and reseller of Kaltura, Liferay, and Zimbra; and a Contributing Member of the IMS Global Learning Consortium. For more information, visit: www.unicon.net.

SOURCE Cengage Learning