Clear Function Launches Ruby on Rails Web-based Teacher Communication Tool

April 6, 2006; 08:13 AM
Memphis-based technology company Clear Function launched today its first Web product, Chalksite, http://www.chalksite.com, a total Web package designed just for teachers - giving them a personal Web site and all the tools they need to manage classroom activities with a simple, quick approach.

With the site, teachers, students and parents have a central point to access grading, assignments and messaging. Chalksite allows teachers a way to build their own Web sites; communicate with students and parents; post information, notices and grades, among other activities.

"Effectively integrating technology into the classroom is an important issue nationally, and we think Chalksite will prove to be a useful, practical tool for educators," said Aaron Boeving, one of two principal partners at Clear Function. "Chalksite is the quickest, simplest route for teachers to expand their classroom onto the Internet."

Boeving and his Clear Function partner, Stephen Rainey, say anytime a person needs to communicate with a specific group of people in an educational setting, Chalksite is a perfect choice. Teachers, professors, coaches, students, parents and even conference speakers and lecturers can use the online resource.

"Teachers, students and parents will love using Chalksite because it was built with them in mind," Rainey said. "Its core attributes are practicality, immediate usability and simplicity - all things important to all teachers no matter their educational setting."

Chalksite is built on the Ruby on Rails framework and uses modern Web technologies, such as AJAX, to create an interface that is both snappy and fun to use, Rainey added. Ruby on Rails is an open-source Web application framework, serving as the foundation for what all the code is written upon. It was created by David Heinemeier Hansson, a partner at 37signals, a technology company based in Chicago.

Pricing options are set up as plans, which are determined by the number of subscribed students. For example, a basic plan (which is primarily tailored for busy tutors and elementary school teachers) is $4.95 per month. Discounts for bulk purchasing are available. And a free version of Chalksite is always available, with limited features and capabilities.

Clear Function opened in October 2005. According to its partners, the team specializes in thinking further - designing consumer products and Web sites that allow for simple site maintenance and updating to be done by the client. Company services include Web design, interface design and Web application development.