Dear OpenSim Viewer Developer:
A new trend in learning management systems  could be a vehicle for expanding educator use of the OpenSimulator platform.
More specifically, one of the newer learning management systems – Canvas – includes an external app integration feature that allows faculty and institutions to easily integrate both subscription and non subscription third-party apps into their course sites.
Further, the viewer developers that offer or modify their viewers to be support learning management systems could realize a new income stream from the creation of custom – or institution specific – viewer homepages.
Learning management system platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, Desire-to-Learn, and Moodle are widely used in both post-secondary and K-12 education as well as in many — or even most — e-training applications.
Looking specifically at the new third party app feature included in the Canvas learning management system, each Canvas course site has an “Apps†section in “Settingsâ€, with the ability to add three different types of apps:
- Subscription and non subscription apps installed by the institution, like SlideShare, and Collaborate
- Any of the EduAppCenter  list of apps
- Apps added through an “Add App†panel
Interested OpenSim viewer developers could either apply to get their viewer added to the EduAppCenter or offer their viewer as a download in the form of a “config.xml†file type.
I believe OpenSim would experience exponential growth if there is a way to integrate one or more OpenSim viewers into the learning management system platforms being used by schools and universities around the world.
Finally, my expectation is that while a free viewer app is needed to promote the increased use of OpenSim educational simulations, viewer developers could generate income from custom, institution specific, viewer homepages and skins.
- Prof asks OpenSim viewer devs to help schools - February 4, 2017