Update on CMS -> LMS Review and Transitions
Updated: Tuesday, April 5, 2005
We are now into our 5th week of the CMS-LMS Evaluation and Recommendation (CLEAR) Process and are mid way through the Review Phase.
Goal: To solicit broad-based input from faculty, students and other academic users into the review and transparent selection of a Learning Management System (LMS) that can grow to fill MUs needs over the next 5 (-10) years.
To date, we have:
- ITS reviewed various Course/Learning Management Systems (CMS/LMS) and identified four products that hold promise for meeting our future needs: Blackboard, Educator, Desire2Learn and WebCT. As leading products in the field, these met basic criteria for effective Learning Management Systems and map onto the emergent evaluation criteria established by ITS and MU faculty input.
- Consulted with Faculty Council on our plans and the appropriate process to ensure effective faculty engagement (2/25/05)
- Held an open CLEAR Launch Meeting for faculty on March 2nd in Wilson Auditorium to describe the process, solicit input, and request nominations to participate in the CLEAR Team;
- Established a CLEAR website (http://its.monmouth.edu/CLEAR/) with links to information and access to ways to participate and provide input.
- Established the CLEAR Team to guide this process. The team has 21 members (and 6 alternates) representing all 5 schools, the library, students and ITS. They are actively engaged in the review, evaluation and recommendation process and are your link to this important decision.
- Offered CLEAR Demonstration/Presentations of all 4 products over 2 days by vendor representatives and faculty (on Fridays March 18 and 25, 10 am – 3:15 pm, Turrell Board Room).
- Offered Continuing
Access to these demonstrations and presentations through
- Drop-In Sessions - Wednesdays March 23 and 30, 10:30
am – 1:00 pm in the ITS
- Videos of Presentations available for viewing on request (and soon: streaming from within each Trial Access Course linked off of the CLEAR Website)
- Drop-In Sessions - Wednesdays March 23 and 30, 10:30
am – 1:00 pm in the ITS
- Arranged for Trial Site Access to all 4 CMS/LMS products for all faculty from mid March through end of May (links off of website, access information/passwords available from CLEAR Team members, ITS staff, Chairs and Deans); exploring possibility of piloting a favored LMS in Summer 1.
- Arranged for Educator contract to be extended through end of August, to ensure continuity of CMS coverage regardless of the outcome of the review.
- Established
Feedback Forms and online Surveys to formalize MU Community input:
- Evaluation Criteria (priority/importance) – to be completed asap by all interested faculty
- Evaluating CMS/LMS quality/desirability – to be completed by April 16th by all individuals who have a) seen a demonstration or b) explored the product(s).
- Comparative Evaluation of CMS/LMS products (not yet active) – will be completed on May 6th by individuals who have seen or used all four CMS/LMS products under review
- CLEAR Team Meetings and Responsibilities: March 18-Orientation; March 25 - subteam formation; April 8 - Subteam Coordination; April 22 - survey result review, initial impressions; May 6 - Comparative Review Day; May 13 / 20 - CLEAR Recommendation Report draft and additional meetings of task-focused subteams to prepare surveys, data analysis and the recommendation reports.
We would like to invite all faculty to join us for the CLEAR Comparative Review Day on Friday May 6, from 10 am - 3 pm in Turrell Board Room to participate in the dialogue between CLEAR Team members as they demonstrate and share their findings regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each LMS. The day will close with completion of the Comparative Evaluation Survey. Note: Register to attend through the FRC Registration system: http://its.monmouth.edu/training/trainingForm.asp (or just drop in).
You may also choose to try out each CMS/LMS and explore on your own. Special sites have been created to allow you access to each CMS/LMS. Links are available on the CLEAR Website and login usernames and passwords are available from your CLEAR Team member, School Dean, Department Chair, or any of the ITS staff.
We Looking forward to seeing you and communicating with you in the coming weeks as we move towards the analysis and recommendation phases of the CLEAR Review Process. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
CLEAR Team Leads - Instructional Technology Services
| Calvin |
Bonnie |
Wendy |
|
| Calvin Williams |
|
Wendy Savoth |
|
| Blackboard Lead | CLEAR Team Coordinator/ Educator Lead | Desire2Learn Lead | WebCT Lead |
| x5195 |
x5486 |
x5565 |
X5622 |