Managed access to information over data networks

A system for providing a user with access to learning content on an information site hosting information with controlled access, the system comprising:

• a management site which is remote from the information site and which hosts an open learning management system, the management site comprising:
• a means for authenticating the user when the user logs on to the management site,
• a means for processing a request by the user for access to learning content which is hosted at the information site,
• a means for logging the user onto the information site and providing authorization to the information site to thereby authenticate the user's access to the learning content, and
• wherein the system further comprises:
• a means for direct communication between the user and the information site to provide the learning content to the user, and
• a means for direct communication between the management site and the information site for exchange of management information which includes (a) data relating to the user's activities on the information site which is provided from the information site to the management site and stored on the management site for analysis;
• and (b) user authentication data for access to the learning content, the authentication data being provided by the management site.

A data processing system for use at a management site, configured to provide a user with access to an information site hosting information with controlled access, the data processing system comprising:

• a means for authenticating a user,
• a means for processing a user request for access to information which is hosted at the information site,
• a means for logging the user on to the information site and for providing authorization to the information site to thereby authenticate the user'access to the information, said means comprising direct communication between the user and the information site, and
• a means for establishing direct communication between the management site and the information site for exchange of management information.

A data processing system for use at a management site hosting an open learning management system, configured to provide a user with access to an information site hosting information provided by an external learning content provider with controlled access, the data processing system comprising:

• a means for authenticating a user,
• a means for processing a user request for access to information which is hosted at the information site,
• a means for logging the user on to the information site with authenticated access to the information, said means comprising direct communication between the user and the information site, and
• a means establishing direct communication between the management site and the information site for exchange of management information which includes (a) data relating to the user's activities on the information site which is provided from the information site to the management site and stored on the management site for analysis;
• and (b) user authentication data for access to the learning content, the authentication data being provided by the management site.

A data processing system for use at an information site hosting learning content information with controlled access, which is arranged to cooperate with a management site remote from the information site, the data processing system comprising:

• a means for permitting a user to be logged on to the information site via the management site with authenticated access to the learning content information,
• a means for direct communication between the user and the information site for supply of the learning content information to the user, and
• a means for direct communication with the management site for the exchange of management information which includes (a) data relating to the user's activities on the information site which is provided from the information site to the management site and stored on the management site for analysis;
• and (b) user authentication data for access to the learning content information, the authentication data being provided by the management site.