Academic institutions at all levels face major challenges because of their increasing dependence on the internet for knowledge management. Whether a primary school, university or research facility, all institutions face the problem of building a scalable architecture based on open standards that allow a modular approach to both applications and content. Academic institutions also must effectively integrate e-learning environments into the campus computing infrastructure in a cost-effective way which enables them to:
Provide a critical infrastructure, such as learning object repositories and course management systems delivery platform
Allow for innovative tools and approaches in teaching methods to embrace faculty participation.
Sun provides a complete, open-standards based platform and provides community support to faculty and students engaged in collaborative research, teaching and learning.
Areas of Interest
Immersive Education Immersive education combines 3D and virtualreality technology with digital media to immerse and engage students in the same way that today’s best video games grab and keep the attention of players. Interactive virtual reality and sophisticated digital media, such as voice chat, game-based learning modules, and audio and video, are coupled with collaborative online course environments and classrooms. Immersive education gives students a sense of “being there” when attending class in person isn’t possible, practical, or desirable. In turn, faculty and remote students have the ability to connect and communicate in a way that greatly enhances the learning experience.
Sun Microsystems is a leading contributor to the research, development and deployment of open source solutions for “immersive education” with Project Wonderland and newindustry partnerships at Media Grid and New Media Consortium.
Libraries & Digital Libraries The Library market is divided into two segments. The first is the traditional Integrated Library System (ILS) market that includes cataloging, serial management, inter-library loan, circulation, and on-line public access (OPAC) Sun has thousands of customers in this area, some dating back 10-12 years. The second segment is Digital Libraries, an emerging market. These focus on projects around massive digitization, archiving, preservation, universal access, eScience dataset collaboration, web harvesting, academic and library content convergence, and federated repositories.
Sun Digital Libraries Webinar Series In response to requests for more in-depth technical information at the Sun Preservation
and Archiving Special Interest Group (PASIG) meeting in November in Paris, Sun sponsored
a group of topical technology webinars.
Establishing a Digital Library
This document provides both librarians and IT professionals an overview of the key functions and requirements needed.
Current Reality and Future Visions Open Virtual Worlds
This white paper examines the current state of 3D virtual worlds and provides insight into Sun’s vision for the
future of virtual worlds as they evolve with open standards and interconnected communities. The paper also
provides an overview of Sun’s value proposition in this domain and describes the progress that is already being
made toward open virtual worlds.
Sun and AegisUSA Solution Brief
Together, Sun and AegisUSA offer a complete identity management solution that can be seemlessly implemented, enabling educational institutions to provide secure access to all of their users Πfor less money and in less time than traditional implementation providers.
