The new UK company, RedHalo gave schoolchildren of UK the opportunity to use a free and secure Personal Learning Space.The children will be using the space in a variety of ways, from schoolwork, to computer games. Any device, which can be connected to internet can be used with RedHalo, including smartphones, gaming devices and iPhones.

The main difference between the standard social networking sites and the new service, according to the RedHalo’s representative Neil Critchell, is that: “this is a more controlled ‘walled garden’ type of educational environment, monitored by the teacher.” As Critchell noted, the project gave more opportunities to schoolchildren to work together with their class and teacher, via using more devices, which had been so common with them outside classrooms so far, for example- the game consoles. At the same time, the teachers are welcome to distribute learning materials to their pupils via the learning space.

What is most important- the free version of RedHalo Platform Edition can be upgraded increasing the size of learning space form 1Gb to 5Gb, together with the secutrity and software for Windows Mobile, XP or Vista-based devices. This upgrading is charged with a small annual fee.

The project includes RedActivity, making creation of projects as easy as it never was before. This is because it can unite all the digital media components of a project, such as websites, photos, text, spreadsheets, thought maps and audio recordings, and create a visual map of the project. At the same time, RedActivity uses a special container, gathering everything together, so as no element will be lost.

Tim Chaney, former boss of Virgin Interactive, and Director at RedHalo Ltd, says of the project: “We are pleased to be at the leading edge of the learning while mobile movement and establish a standard that will help learners and educators, as well as publishers and developers who will build upon our platform. Our mission is to make learning personal and universally accessible; this announcement takes us a step closer.”

References:http://news.spong.com/article/14000?cb=29