Blackboard prepares mobile learning solution

Blackboard is preparing to release Blackboard Mobile Learn, a version of the company's flagship learning management system tailored for smartphones and other mobile devices, states The Journal.

It will debut as a native application for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and "other Web-enabled devices".

Mobile Learn, according to Blackboard, will mimic the full functionality of the Web-based Learn platform, including two-way communication between students and teachers, access to grade books, blog access and commenting, discussion board participation, and student-to-student e-mail communications.

McDonald's will use the Nintendo DS to train its employees, reports The Escapist.

The fast food giant plans to put an average of two DSes in all 3 700 of its restaurants located in Japan later this year.

The McDonald's training program being developed for the DS is called eSmart, and will cost McDonald's around $2 million to implement.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has unveiled a training system aimed at helping commanders make the best decisions during emergencies, states Mercury News.

The series of computers is configured to simulate anything from a call about a missing child to a full-scale terror attack. Command decisions are logged, and can be reviewed and analysed to help trainees learn about the consequences of their actions.

"It's not a computer game," says police sergeant Timothy Kalkus, the officer in charge of the system. "It's what's in the minds of the decision-makers, how they collectively solve the problem."