The Moodle Dilemma:To Self-Host or Vendor-
Host?
Kurt Beer
Sales Director – Northeast
Moodlerooms, Inc.
Jenene Cook
Dean of Academic Technology
Roxbury Community College
June 8, 2010
Agenda
• What is Moodle?
• Current LMS Landscape
• Motivators to Change Learning Management Systems
• Variables when Deciding Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
• Roxbury Community College’s Decision to Self-Host
• Decision to Vendor-Host
• Questions and Answers
What is Moodle?
• Created by Martin Dougiamis• v1.0 Released in 2002 via
GPL
• Open Source• Accessible (508 compliant)• Scalable• Standards Based• Feature Rich• Flexible
Standard Moodle Features
The world’s most widely used open source LMS
What is Moodle?Notable Statistics
•49,000 Registered Moodle Sites•35,000,000 Registered Users
http://www.moodle.org/stats
•82 Languages Supported•Used in 213 Countries
What is Moodle?The world’s most widely used open source LMS
•49,000 Registered Moodle Sites•35,000,000 Registered Users
http://www.moodle.org/stats
Motivators to Change LMSsWhat pain causes schools to consider LMS alternatives?
1. Innovation Lacking
2. Difficult / Expensive to Customize
3. Vendor Support Declining4. Increasing License Fees
5. Inflexible Vendors, Ts & Cs
6. Resource Limitations (budget & personnel)
Motivators to Change LMSsWhat are the options?
1. Packaged Software (Self-Hosted)
2. Packaged Software (Vendor-Hosted)
3. Open Source (Self-Hosted)
4. Open Source (Vendor-Hosted or “Managed Open Source”)
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
Currently have an LMS?
• If yes, then do you host yourself?
• If yes, then do you host Moodle…
• If yes, then A) you’re well informed to decide.
• If no, then B) evaluate differences between Moodle, et al.
• If no, then C) much work must be done to evaluate alternatives.
• If no, then D) ???
Expertise.
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
• Training
• ERP/SIS Integration
• Technology Integrations
• Course Conversion
Change Management.
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
• Logistically• Types of questions• Quantity of questions• Timeliness of responses• Quality of responses
• Strategically• Tech Support as core competency• Need a throat to choke
Technical Support.
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
• Core Moodle
• Moodle.org Plug-ins
• Technology Partner Integrations• Synchronous tools, Anti-plagiarism,
ePortfolios, Respondus, Google Apps, Live@EDU, publisher content…
• Customizations• Themes, reports, mobile, etc.• Impact to support and upgrades
Functionality Enhancements.
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-Host
• FERPA & Institutional Data Compliance• Who, What, How
• Technology Investment• Backup / DR Management• Proactive Antivirus Management• Data Network Design / Isolation• Reporting / Auditing / Monitoring
• Process for Responding to Breeches
Security / Data Privacy.
Decision Variables: Self-Host vs. Vendor-HostCost.
• Hardware / Infrastructure• Servers (Web, Storage, Database)
• Network (Switches, Routers, Load Balancers)
• Supporting Software• OS (Windows, Linux, Solaris or Virtual)
• Database (MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle)
• Backup / DR (Veritas, DoubleTake)
• Antivirus / Security• Performance Monitoring
• Personnel
RCC’s Decision to Self-Host
RCC’s Decision to Self-HostExpertise• Moodle Evangelist • System Administrator• Application Developer• Instructional Designer• Course Developer• Trainer • Technical Support
Technical Support• Connected Learning Network• PEQ Services + Solutions, Inc.• Considering other options
Security / Data Privacy• IT Department
Functionality Enhancements• Moodle.org plug-ins• Customized Theme
Costs• Server $7500• 24/7 Technical Support $2500• Indirect costs
Change Management• IntralearnMoodle 1.8.3• Course Conversion• Training – 10 week course• Moodle 1.9 (Summer 2010)• Moodle 2.0 (Fall 2011)
RCC’s Decision to Self-Host
PLATFORM TIMEFRAME COST/YEAR VENDOR
IntraLearn 2001-2006 $10,000licensing/hosting
UMassOnline e-Learning Consortium
Blackboard Vista* 2006 $10,500 licensing/hosting UMassOnline e-Learning Consortium
2007 $15,000 licensing/hosting UMassOnline e-Learning Consortium
Moodle 2007 $500 hosting
$4500 on-site training/support
Learning Networks
Romeo Marquis, The Learning Curve
Connected Learning24/7 Support
2006 IntraLearn
2007 Moodle
$7.50/studentBilled per semester
$7.50/user (250 user minimum)
Connected Learning.Network, Inc.
Initial Costs
Decision to Vendor-HostExpertise• It’s our business
Change Management• Training Offerings• Conduit SIS Integration• Partner Plug-in Program• Batch Course Converters
Technical Support• 24x7x365 for Sys Admins• 24x7x365 for End Users
Security / Data Privacy• Amenable to Data Security Policies• Proactive Monitoring• 99.99% SLA (w/ 99.997% Average Uptime)
Functionality Enhancements• Vendor Developments• Moodle Modules / Plug-ins• Technology Partner Integrations• Customizations• Client Contributor Model• Continuous Enhancements
Cost• Specialized Vendor Personnel• Reallocate your Resources• Annualized Operating Expense
Decision to Vendor-Host
Go to http://Moodle.com to see the list of
Selecting a Moodle Vendor.
Conclusion
Moodle is…
• Feature Rich
• Easy to Use
• Scalable
• Standards Based
• Accessible
• Sustainable
Thank you!
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