Free like puppies not like beer:Our journey from a commercial LMS to an open learning environment. Lou Harrison Dr. Martin Dulberg

AgendaHistory of DELTA @ NC StateHistory of LMS @ NC StateWhy Moodle?Perception ManagementOur ModelChallengesConclusion

History of DELTA @ NC StateDELTA 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)

Continuing Studies (Distance Education)

Information Technology Division and the Libraries (Learning Technology Service)

College of Engineering (Video Communications Services)

Founding Principles of DELTADistance Education is part of the university’s academic mission and belongs in the Office of the ProvostDE & LTshould be “married” within a single organizational structure to best leverage their synergiesDE represents a strategic growth opportunity for the institutionThe 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.MissionDELTA 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.

Educational TechnologyServicesApplications DevelopmentApplications SupportMedia DistributionVideo Communication Services

History of LMS @ NC StateEarly Days1997 - WolfWare released1999 - WebCT Campus Edition Pilot2003 - WebCT Vista selectedTransition to Enterprise Model2004 - WebCT Vista Pilot2005 - General release of WebCT Vista, migration from WebCT Campus Edition

History of LMS @ NC StateChangesFall 2005 - WebCT bought by BlackboardSpring 2006 - Support degradationThen a plethora of hardware, software and support concerns plagued us, on and off, until present.

History of LMS @ NC StateGood time for re-evaluationWolfware – 10+ yearsCampus Edition and Vista - 8 years (4 each)Concerns with BlackboardWhere to go? What to do?

Why Moodle?Technical perspective - MoodleBased on a LAMP architectureLinux Apache MySQLPHPRobust and readily modifiableWolfWare has similar architecture

Why Moodle?Technical perspective - MoodleArchitecture suited to the campus needsFits technicallyCampus has LAMP expertiseSuccessful integrations already (R&R)Custom Library block createdConnections 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 ManagementOur 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:Support common toolsFlexibility to add toolsParticipate with peersSupport off-model activities

Perception ManagementOpen ≠ FreeNot selling this change as a cost savings*Strategic direction for LMSs @ NC State (10.05.07)1. Stability & reliability2. Future growth & flexibility3. Control our destiny4. Potential future collaboration with UNC System Branding issues * We will realize some cost savings though

Perception ManagementCollaboration is very important!Want to give back, not just give moneySatisfy the broad needs on campusBuild something that will fitFor Credit ClassesNon Credit ClassesExtensionResearch…

Discussion BreakWho has seen similar perception issues?Who has different ones?What lessons have you learned about perception management?

Our Model

Our ModelNotify, Solicit Input

Our ModelLMS Chart of InfluenceThe 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 ModelLMS Chart of InfluenceThe 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 BreakAnything in our model that would concern you?What does your model look like? What’s similar?What’s different?

BrandingNames are importantWolfWare feels like NCSU, NCSU is accustomed to it. We’re going to brand our LMS WolfWare

BrandingWolfWare=MoodleIntegrationsIn-house toolsSyllabus Tool, course mailing lists, etc. ElluminateEtc.Pieces of the puzzle may change over time

Discussion BreakWho is just going to call it “Moodle?”Do you have different branding?Is it just rebranding Moodle, or a suite of tools?

ChallengesBuy-in on collaboration modelResourcesTimeMoneyPeoplePoliciesFinding the sweet spot between ease of use and full featured

ChallengesFighting the “Free” mindsetFrom GNU.orgFree 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 BreakAnyone 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_StrategyOr, contact one of us…Martin Dulberg Lou HarrisonDELTA Senior Coordinator DELTA Associate Vice Provost for Educational Technology Services919-513-3339 919-515-7279marty_dulberg@ncsu.edulou@ncsu.edu