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The idea of a “free” Learning Management System may be quite compelling to campuses interested in reducing costs; however, it’s not that simple. Learn how NC State University is moving to Moodle as an open source solution where resources are redirected to give our campus flexibility and control. If there are other institutions interested in very similar open source LMS topics for a panel discussion, we would be interested in participating in that in lieu of, or in addition to, a lecture-style presentation, if appropriate.
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Free like puppies not like beer:
Our journey from a commercial LMS
to an open learning environment. Lou HarrisonDr. Martin Dulberg
Agenda•History of DELTA @ NC State
•History of LMS @ NC State
•Why Moodle?
•Perception Management
•Our Model
•Challenges
•Conclusion
History of DELTA @ NC State
DELTA was formed in July of 2000 by the reallocation of positions from:
• Continuing Studies (Distance Education)• Information Technology Division and the
Libraries (Learning Technology Service)• College of Engineering (Video
Communications Services)
Founding Principles of DELTA
• Distance Education is part of the university’s academic mission and belongs in the Office of the Provost
• DE & LT should be “married” within a single organizational structure to best leverage their synergies
• DE represents a strategic growth opportunity for the institution
• The distinctions between DE and traditional campus-based education should become increasingly blurred over time
DELTA Vision and MissionVisionWe seek to improve the quality of education by harnessing technology to provide ready access for all learners. In this way we hope to meet the challenges of a changing society.
Mission
DELTA promotes the quality of education by extending the reach of the faculty, collaboratively applying expertise in technology and pedagogy in an efficient, effective, and service-oriented environment.
Applications Development
Applications Support
Media Distribution
Video Communication Services
Educational Technology
Services
History of LMS @ NC State
• Early Days
1997 - WolfWare released
1999 - WebCT Campus Edition Pilot
2003 - WebCT Vista selected• Transition to Enterprise Model
2004 - WebCT Vista Pilot
2005 - General release of WebCT Vista, migration from WebCT Campus Edition
History of LMS @ NC State
• ChangesFall 2005 - WebCT bought by Blackboard
Spring 2006 - Support degradation
Then a plethora of hardware, software and support concerns plagued us, on and off, until present.
History of LMS @ NC State
• Good time for re-evaluationWolfware – 10+ years
Campus Edition and Vista - 8 years (4 each)
Concerns with Blackboard• Where to go? What to do?
Why Moodle?
• Technical perspective - Moodle– Based on a LAMP architecture
• Linux Apache MySQL PHP
– Robust and readily modifiable– WolfWare has similar architecture
Java Architecture LAMP Architecture
Open Sakai Moodle
Proprietary Vista et. al.
Why Moodle?
• Technical perspective - Moodle– Architecture suited to the campus needs
• Fits technically• Campus has LAMP expertise• Successful integrations already (R&R)• Custom Library block created• Connections to Elluminate, etc.
DELTA Advisory Council- Endorsement
We intend to move towards an integrated NC State branded LMS (to be named WolfWare) based on an Open Source code base. We will follow an Open Source philosophy with provision for the integration of proprietary products. The Open Source product which best fits our campus LAMP experience and expertise is Moodle. An example proprietary product to be integrated is the synchronous meeting product Elluminate.
Perception Management•Our goal is not to save money; rather, our goal is to implement a stable, reliable and robust LMS that will be used by both Distance Education (DE), on-campus, traditional courses, and nontraditional courses alike, with the following in mind:
1.Support common tools
2.Flexibility to add tools
3.Participate with peers
4.Support off-model activities
Perception Management•Open ≠ Free
•Not selling this change as a cost savings*
•Strategic direction for LMSs @ NC State (10.05.07)
1. Stability & reliability
2. Future growth & flexibility
3. Control our destiny
4. Potential future collaboration with UNC System
•Branding issues* We will realize some cost
savings though
Perception Management•Collaboration is very important!
•Want to give back, not just give money
•Satisfy the broad needs on campus
•Build something that will fit
–For Credit Classes
–Non Credit Classes
–Extension
–Research
–…
Discussion BreakWho has seen similar perception issues?
Who has different ones?
What lessons have you learned about perception management?
Our Model
Our Model
Notify, Solicit Input
Our Model
LMS Chart of Influence
The DELTA Advisory Council, the LMS Steering Committee and its subcommittees formally provide advice to DELTA management related to Learning Management System (LMS) implementation.
Informal advice will also be sought through various communities of practice and partner organizations; examples listed below.
Our Model
LMS Chart of Influence
The DELTA Advisory Council, the LMS Steering Committee and its subcommittees formally provide advice to DELTA management related to Learning Management System (LMS) implementation.
Informal advice will also be sought through various communities of practice and partner organizations; examples listed below.
DELTA LMS Strategy Team
Discussion Break
Anything in our model that would concern you?
What does your model look like?
What’s similar?
What’s different?
Branding•Names are important
•WolfWare feels like NCSU, NCSU is accustomed to it.
•We’re going to brand our LMS
WolfWare
Branding
•WolfWare=–Moodle–Integrations–In-house tools
–Syllabus Tool, course mailing lists, etc.
–Elluminate–Etc.
•Pieces of the puzzle may change over time
Discussion Break
Who is just going to call it “Moodle?”
Do you have different branding?
Is it just rebranding Moodle, or a suite of tools?
Challenges•Buy-in on collaboration model
•Resources–Time
–Money
–People
•Policies
•Finding the sweet spot between ease of use and full featured
Challenges•Fighting the “Free” mindset
•From GNU.org
Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer.”
•With apologies to GNU.org, our mantra is:
“Free Like Puppies, not like Beer”
Discussion Break
Anyone share our challenges?
Any other challenges?
Anything we missed earlier?
Anything we could drill down further into?
Words of advice? Caution?
The floor is now open...
Questions?
•For more information see our wiki:
http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/index.php/LMS_Strategy
Or, contact one of us…
Martin Dulberg Lou Harrison
DELTA Senior Coordinator DELTA Associate Vice Provost for Educational
Technology Services
919-513-3339 919-515-7279
