1.
The Search for the Truth
Behind the Rumour
Dispelling Open Source VLE myths
Bryony Bramer Leo Havemann Sarah Sherman
The Bloomsbury Colleges

2.
© Ewan Mura
Photo credit: Ewan Munro
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/2445298176/
A bit about us...

3.
Aims & Objectives
• Our view
• The current options
• Defining some myths
• Weighing up the pros and cons
• What about you?

4.
So Many Options
In the short term the question is whether/when to
upgrade.
But looking beyond...
8

5.
... is the VLE dead??
Should we now be thinking about PLEs?

6.
Photo credit: http://twitpic.com/photos/vaughany

7.
VLE Options
Assuming we do need a VLE...
8

8.
Open Source Myths (1)
“Open source is
free”
• No licence cost.
• We would still have
hosting / managed hosting
costs.
• Additional staff
resourcing - probably need
developers (ongoing), and
migration support
(project).

9.
“Open source is
cool and sexy”
• Bandwagon appeal –
seems like others are
doing it
• Doesn’t address
pedagogy, usability or
financial dimensions
Open Source Myths (2)

10.
Open Source Myths (3)
“If it’s free - it
can’t be as good”
• Equating price point with
quality
• Many institutions seem
happy with their Open
Source VLEs
• But often they have put
in significant development
work

11.
Open Source Myths (4)
“There’s no
support for it”
• Where does the buck
stop? With us!
•Or our managed hosting
provider.
• User communities
provide advice, guidance
and freebies they have
developed.

12.
Option A: Stick with Blackboard 8
Pros:
•Easy
•Familiar
•Stable
•Integrated
•Standard
Cons:
•Out-dated
•Limited features
•No long-term support
•Restrictive
•Expensive

13.
Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9
Pros:
•More Features
•Up-to-date
•User-friendly
•Familiar
•Simple upgrade
Cons:
•Over-hyped?
•Need to relearn
•Compatibility
•Expensive
•Restrictive

14.
Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9
Survey Feedback:

15.
Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9
Survey Feedback:
“easier to navigate”
“more attractive layout”
“easier to find stuff”
“more modern”
“It just doesn't get in the way so much”

16.
Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9
Survey Feedback:
“too much on the screen”
“more clutter”
“far more 'buttons'”
“seems slower”
“can't see what the improvement is”

17.
Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9
Pros:
•More Features
•Up-to-date
•User-friendly
•Familiar
•Simple upgrade
Cons:
•Over-hyped?
•Need to relearn
•Compatibility
•Expensive
•Restrictive

18.
Option C: Move to an Open Source VLE
Pros:
•Cost
•Adaptable
•Community support
•User configurable
•Download & go
Cons:
•No 'official' support
•Staffing
requirements
•Unfamiliar
•Future
•Responsibility

19.
Summary
• Does it come down to which is the best product?
• Impact / Change management
• What next?

20.
Your thoughts…
• Is your institution thinking 'what next'?
• Any points we haven't touched on?
• Please discuss!

21.
Bryony Bramer bbramer@rvc.ac.uk
Leo Havemann lh12@soas.ac.uk
Sarah Sherman s.sherman@bloomsbury.ac.uk