Functionality and accessibility are enhanced by two main changes 

• First, the access to each page has been very simplified. Users can now find what they are looking for right from the front page. Every piece of content is accessible from there within a maximum of three mouse clicks. 
  
• Second, most of the pop-up windows have been removed from the site. From now on, functionalities are featured on the same page. Once users are logged-in, they can easily navigate, view all the content and go to the member area where they can create community, participate in a forum, find or even contribute learning resources.

A more user-friendly layout improves usability
The homepage includes the two most recent news and special events, along with a monthly agenda. It also provides easy access to Xplora partners and teachers as well as EU funded projects in the area of science, technology and education. The new design streamlines a special area dedicated to the Xplora community members as well as interactive option for users to subscribe to the newsletter.

Additional enhancements are also planned in the very near future: Xplora is going to bring the community of science educators, Moodle as a Learning Management System (LMS). It will entirely fit into the new design of Xplora. “We are delighted to offer the science education community a new look and feel for Xplora, the European Science Education Gateway” said Karl Sarnow, Xplora Manager.

For information:
www.xplora.org

Contact:
Karl Sarnow, Xplora Manager
karl.sarnow@eun.org
Phone +32 2 790 75775/ Fax 32 2 790 7585
www.europeanschoolnet.org

About Xplora
Xplora is the European gateway to science education. It is aimed at teachers, pupils, scientists, science communicators and science educators. It is run by European Schoolnet - EUN, a network of Ministries of Education across Europe.

The Xplora portal is supported by the PENCIL project (Permanent EuropeaN resource Centre for Informal Learning), a large scale European project, which intends to promote science education among young people. The PENCIL project is funded by the European Commission's Directorate General for Research as part of Science and Society.