Citrix and LearningStation.com Deliver Web-Based Learning to the Classroom
New York and North Carolina School Systems Look to Application Service Provider and Server-Based Computing Models for Broadened Application and Information Access for Students, Teachers and Parents
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1999-- Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS - news) today announced at PC Expo (Booth No. 3954) that LearningStation.com, a leading educational Application Service Provider (ASP) and member of the Citrix Business Alliance program, has chosen Citrix server-based computing software as its cornerstone technology to drive three innovative Web-based educational initiatives across the country. New York's Roosevelt School District in Long Island, New York City's non-public school system, and North Carolina's Lexington City school system have tapped Citrix and Learningstation.com to deliver education portals to students, teachers and parents to enrich the learning experience and prepare students to be competitive in today's technology-driven world.
Educational institutions across the nation face similar challenges: tight IT budgets, limited IT resources, and aging computers, software and network infrastructures. At the same time, institutions are seeking to bridge the gap between technology ''have's'' and ''have not's'' to deliver equal educational opportunities. The resulting IT challenges have the most devastating impact on students, who suffer from an inability to take advantage of the latest technology-based learning opportunities.
Together, Citrix and LearningStation.com are making the most advanced education applications and technologies accessible and affordable for school systems of all sizes without the expense and complexity associated with building, hosting and managing application infrastructures internally at any of the schools, or at the students' homes.
Because students can access applications from school as well as home, the Application Service Provider (ASP) model allows ''anytime, anywhere'' access, enabling a number of innovative, new learning options long sought by educators, including online homework, distance learning for adult education, and home schooling for ill, injured or disabled students. As a result, institutions can better support their educational goals of tying what students learn at school to the home. The ASP computing model enables educational institutions to focus on providing students with stimulating learning experiences without being limited by the IT systems that support their curriculums.
''We're pleased to work with LearningStation.com to pioneer a specialized Application Service Provider (ASP) market that brings education into the Internet age,'' said Chris Phoenix, vice president and general manager of Citrix's iBusiness Unit. ''New York's Roosevelt School District, New York City's non-public school system, and North Carolina's Lexington City school system are outstanding examples of how ASPs are helping to bring 'Grade-A' educational applications not only to the classroom, but into students' homes to unite parents, teachers and students in the learning experience.''
''With more than a decade of experience in server-based computing, Citrix was a natural partner for The LearningStation.com in rolling out our ASP education services,'' said Jim Pennington, chief knowledge officer at LearningStation.com. ''Citrix MetaFrame server-based computing software supplies a reliable, back-end engine for our application delivery; and as a result, guarantees us high levels of performance and an optimal end-user experience. Citrix's field-proven Independent Computing Architecture also enables our customers to leverage existing hardware while taking advantage of low-cost information appliances, like the BocaVision set-top box and Boundless Viewpoint Windows-based terminal.''
Roosevelt School District
Working with the Nassau County Board of Educational Services (BOCES), the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and Inter-County Teacher Center, LearningStation.com and Citrix will deliver an innovative server-based computing education portal to 72 third-graders at the Centennial Avenue Elementary School located in New York's Roosevelt School District, one of the most challenged districts in the state.
To help the students prepare for statewide assessment tests in the fourth grade, the Roosevelt third-graders, teachers, school administration, parents and NYIT will access The Learningstation.com education portal, which includes skills development software and content developed by Oz New Media.
These educational applications will be hosted on Citrix MetaFrame server farms maintained and managed by LearningStation.com. High-speed Internet connectivity will be provided to the school and the homes by Bell Atlantic. Students will be able to access the same applications and content from school or from home using Boca Research ICA®-based thin client devices, including the BocaVision STB121 dial-up information appliance with TVs or monitors.
The goal of the project is to put learning tools in the hands of students, tools that are fully compliant with New York State standards, and professional development tools in the hands of teachers, and to drive access, via the Internet, into the home. The results of the project, planned for the school year 1999-2000, will be used as ''proof of concept'' and showcased to 57 school districts in Nassau County.
New York City Non-Public Schools
The New York City Board of Education recently passed a board resolution approving up to 1,000 subscribers to pilot The LearningStation.com education ASP service, based on Citrix server-based computing software. There are approximately 700 non-public schools in New York City, both secular and religious, that educate several hundred thousand students, ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. Together, Citrix and LearningStation.com will provide a suite of professional development tools, supported by state-of-the-art interactive training, focused on helping teachers incorporate Internet and new media applications into their classroom curricula. This federally funded pilot is a first step in a larger project for expanding learning opportunities throughout New York City's many non-public campuses through education ASP services and server-based computing.
Lexington City Schools
Lexington City Schools, a North Carolina educational system comprised of six schools, is participating in a two-year pilot project with The LearningStation.com to enable its students and teachers to access the latest applications, including Microsoft Office 97, Microsoft Works, Math Keys, Cornerstone and Skills Bank, from Citrix MetaFrame server farms maintained by Learningstation.com. A school system with numerous local area networks, two wide area networks and only two IT professionals, Lexington City Schools was charged with maintaining a competitive teaching philosophy and keeping pace with the education industry's technology curve, while contending with a limited budget, outdated software and disparate networks.
Citrix MetaFrame server-based software allowed the school district to make use of its more than 1,800 existing computers, including 386, 486 and DOS-based PCs, some more than a decade old, while transforming the architecture to a server-based computing model. Additionally, Lexington City Schools implemented 60 Boundless Viewpoint TC Windows-based terminals into its mixed environment. Because the school district moved to an ASP computing model based on Citrix's server-based technology, Lexington City Schools is predicting the district will save more than $100,000 in maintenance costs over a two-to-three year period.
About Application Service Providers
ASPs make best-of-breed applications and IT best practices accessible and IT best practices accessible and affordable for organizations of all sizes and individual consumers without the expense and complexity associated with building, hosting and managing application infrastructures internally. As a result, organizations are freed to focus on their business objectives to drive a competitive advantage without worrying about the IT systems that support their businesses.
About The LearningStation.com
The LearningStation.com division of Charlotte, North Carolina-based ApplicationStation(TM) Inc., is a leading Application Service Provider, or ASP, in the educational market. LearningStation.com provides access, on a rental or subscription basis, to educational applications and content through its educational portal. Educational institutions benefit from the services in two ways. First, older desktop systems, without any significant upgrades, can easily become LearningStation.com terminals and access the latest in multi-media applications and content. Second, because services are provided on a rental or subscription basis, schools avoid costs of software acquisition, maintenance and management.
About Citrix
Founded in 1989, Citrix Systems, Inc. is the nation's 13th largest software company and world leader in system software for server-based computing. The MetaFrame(TM) and WinFrame® product lines and Independent Computing Architecture (ICA®) technology give organizations the independence, speed and flexibility needed to extend any application to anyone, anywhere. The company's server-based computing solutions are marketed through a worldwide business alliance of value-added resellers, system integrators, OEM licensees and industry associates. Citrix is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTXS.
For Citrix Investors
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or
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