Web Delivery Services

Our Web Delivery Services include technical support of the Web server and maintenance of the Departmental Web page.
This includes the Departments of Education, Citizenship and Youth and Advanced Education.
The Agency provides UNIX and Windows NT based servers to host the Departmental Internet
based information. Posting of updates are done as necessary.

Blackboard administration and maintenance – MERLIN hosts for a number of secondary
school courses for web-based distance delivery. This provides an opportunity for teachers to
create and deliver courses and for students to access courses not otherwise available.
Improved access and support for distance delivery benefits the education community.

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ePEARL for Schools / School divisions

 

What is ePEARL?

Electronic Portfolio Encouraging Active Reflective Learning (ePEARL) is a Canadian, bilingual, web-based electronic portfolio software developed by the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CLSP). Manitoba Education encourages schools and school divisions to use ePEARL to create electronic student portfolios that support evidence of student Literacy with Information and Communication Technology.

ePEARL has 3 levels that can be assigned to students and teachers..

• Level 1- intended for beginning readers and writers at grades 1-2,
  
• Level 2- aimed at early and middle years students in grades 3 – 6 and
  
• Level 3- created for students and teachers of grades 7 and up.

How can I get more information about using ePEARL?

For general inquiries about ePEARL please contact the Literacy with ICT consultants:

John Finch (john.finch@gov.mb.ca) - 945-0151 or 1-800-282-8069 ext 0151 or
Michelle Larose-Kuzenko (michelle.larose-kuzenko@gov.mb.ca) - 945-7971 or 1-800-282-8069 ext 7971

For more information on Literacy with Information and Communication Technology Across the Curriculum visit:
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/tech/lict/index.html

Click here for ePEARL Teacher Resources

 

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If you plan to host ePEARL on your local server, there is no cost for the software. Contact MERLIN to find out whether it is a suitable option for you. Visit: http://grover.concordia.ca/eportfolio/epearl_versions/ to download the latest version.

ePEARL Software:

ePEARL, a dynamic, electronic portfolio, is now part of the Learning Toolkit (LTK), a suite of applications working in tandem to develop students’ literacy and self-regulation skills. ePEARL uses PHP technology and a MySQL database. The portfolio was developed using PHP 4.3.4 and MySQL 3.23.58. These are the minimum required versions. Concordia University recommends using PHP 4.3.4 and MySQL 4.1. The software was developed on an Apache webserver. Apache is recommended, though an IIS webserver can also be used.

Minimum Server Requirements:

Providing ePEARL is the only application on the server:
Processor: 1.6 GHz minimum, 3.0 GHz recommended
RAM: 512 MB minimum, 1 GB recommended
Internet connection: 300kb/s upload bandwidth minimum, 1000kb/s recommended
This recommendation supports 30 to 60 users using the portfolio at the same time.

What does a school or school division need to do to have MERLIN host ePEARL for them?

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What does a school or school division need to do to have MERLIN host their ePEARL?

If you are interested in MERLIN hosting ePEARL for you, an application form needs to be completed and sent to MERLIN. (This form requires Adobe Reader v7 or higher)

For technical assistance with ePEARL please contact MERLIN.

What is MERLIN’s Role?

MERLIN can host ePEARL on behalf of interested schools or school divisions. Software licensing is free.

The hosting services include:

• Server space
  
• Backups of student and teacher files
  
• Server licenses
  
• Power and monitoring
  
• File limit of 10Mbs - Storage limit of 100 Mbs
  
• Installation of upgrades
  
• Point of contact to support administrators (not users)
  
• Assist divisions with the process of bulk loading
  
• Liaise between school divisions and Concordia University for technical support
  

What will it cost for MERLIN to host ePEARL?

For the school year:

• $500 per school division with fewer than 5000 student enrollments
  
• $1000 per school division with over 5000 student enrollments
  
• $350 if only 1 school in a division is seeking hosting services

What is the Role of the ePEARL administrator for a school division or school?

• create teacher and student accounts
  
• make changes to accounts
  
• add new users to the system during the school year
  
• reset passwords for users who have forgotten them

What support will be provided?

MERLIN and Manitoba Education will support the school or school division administrator to help them grow into this role and become comfortable and capable in it.

For more information on these services please contact our office.