The iCPALMS project is creating a widget-based portal on a Web 2.0 platform with embedded tools, services, content, and professional development that together aim to bridge standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment, through collaboration and customization by individual users.
The iCPALMS portal will be a widget-based platform, a web system with a user-centric design that enables the user to customize the layout, design, and content within different tabs within the interface. iCPALMS will be a valuable “homepage” on the user’s browser. This Web 2.0 platform allows individual stakeholders to adapt the system to meet distinct needs.
The portal is designed to become a one-stop-shop for teacher tools and applications. Users simply choose preferred applications and input personal settings, and the system processes this information to deliver individualized, relevant updates and information directly to the user’s homepage. These applications are served through widgets on the portal. Additionally, because applications and tools are developed modularly, the widget-based platform allows future expansions and additions without requiring re-programming or disruption in user service, and provides an infrastructure on and within which other projects can build and integrate.
This portal will:
- provide a platform for independent widgets to share information and integrate with each other
- serve as infrastructure built to support performance and collaboration through access to information and tools
- be an integrated web-based environment that is available to and easily accessible by each stakeholder, structured to provide immediate, individualized on-line access to the full range of information, tools, and guidance to enhance job performance and efficiency
- inherently include searching standards, resources, courses and other relevant information plus offer more powerful tools
- enable users to collaboratively create and share content and widgets with other individuals or groups. Groups can be created and managed by users mimicking the style of collaboration in social networking sites
Click on the iCPALMS Applications tab to learn more about tools and applications that will be made available through iCPALMS.
iCPALMS will make accessing and implementing digital educational resources relevant to the roles and responsibilities of educators. Gaps in existing resource availability can be filled using iCPALMS authoring tools for developing lessons, units, assessments, and course plans under Creative Commons Licenses. All resources are vetted through a rigorous and continuous review process that involves teams of content, pedagogy, and practitioner experts to ensure that iCPALMS tools and services and the connected content are centered on student learning.