Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) March 25, 2014
The Utah State Office of Education, the Utah Education Network and Utah System of Higher Education in partnership with local company, Lucid Software, are pleased to announce an agreement to provide premium software packages at no cost to all Utah public schools, colleges and universities. Faculty in the Salt Lake and Canyons school districts are already enthusiastic users of the press and chart applications, and are using both for planning, presentations and newsletters.
Fourth grader Peter Stack recently used Lucidpress to create a report and brochure. Peters dad, Tim Stack, who works for the Utah Education Network, says his son completed a homework assignment on the Olympic sport of curling. Because the software is so easy to use, he spent most of his time on research and writing. He then used Lucidpress to create a brochure that included sections on how to play, equipment, Olympic history and champions. Peter was thrilled with the process and the result, and so was I.
As part of a larger national movement to promote technology use in the classroom, the Draper-based software company will donate thousands of licenses to its web-based programs, Lucidchart and Lucidpress, to educational users in Utah. Lucidchart is a well-known diagramming application in the business world, and Lucidpress is an online layout and design program.
Dave Grow, vice president of operations at Lucid Software, is excited about the partnership. The enthusiasm for these tools among Utah educators made this possible. They recognize the potential of this technology in the classroom. Our platform simplifies collaboration between teachers and students, as well as provides customized solutions for independent learners.
This donation enables schools to replace expensive, outdated computer programs with Lucid Software’s browser-based tools, which run on any device or operating system. The agreement provides online support and 24/7 software access to students, teachers, and administrators at Utah public schools.
Brad Hanks, Lucid Softwares education director, spoke to the unique partnership and what it means for Utahs growing reputation as a technology leader. “Both Lucidchart and Lucidpress are examples of cutting-edge technology coming out of Utah. We are honored to give back to our community and look forward to seeing future contributions from this great state.”
UEN’s partnership with Lucid provides new ways to help us serve more than 785,000 students and 60,000 educators, faculty and staff in public education and higher education throughout Utah, said Laura Hunter, UEN Chief Content Officer. We expect educators will find these web-based applications support academics and engage their students. We welcome this opportunity.
David Buhler, Utah commissioner of higher education, stated, One of the priorities of the Utah System of Higher Education is providing students with access to innovative technology that will help them succeed in both the classroom and the workplace. This exciting partnership with Lucid Software will prove invaluable in preparing Utahs students for our rapidly changing world.
The Utah Education Network is a nationally recognized consortium of public education, higher education, applied technology and libraries. Headquartered at the University of Utah, UEN is a public/private partnership that provides broadband, video conferencing, instructional services and professional development statewide.
