Blackboard Replacement & 2nd Life

As forwarded to me from Csilla Dunecsky, co-chair of ATAC

LMS/Blackboard Update:
Based on the results of the faculty vote, and the recommendation from DLCC and ATAC, Executive Council has approved replacing Blackboard as the Learning Management System (LMS) at JCCC. There will be a lengthy transition period – Blackboard will be available through the Spring semester of 2010.

We have formed an LMS (Learning Management System) replacement steering committee:
Jonathan Bacon (Director, Ed Tech Center)
Janet Brandau (Testing Services)
Julane Crabtree (Math)
Mark Daganaar (Director, Library)
Csilla Duneczky (Science)
Tony Lacy (Continuing Ed)
Ed Lovitt (Technical Training Coordinator)
Barb Mahring (Business+Tech)
Mike Martin (Math)
Jim McWard (English)
Phil Mein (Systems Manager)
Jeff Merrit (Academic Achievement)
Mary O'Sullivan (Help Desk Manager)
Larry Reynolds (Speech)
Michael Robertson (Humanities)
Judi Vaughn (Library)
Sandra Warner (Director, Administrative Computing)
+ a student yet to be named
The committee is in the process of collecting information in order to begin the bid process (writing the Request for Proposals, RFP). There will be a conference call with Gartner (analysts and consultants who research IT) to discuss where the industry is now, what other schools are doing, hosted vs. oncampus issues, and Banner integration issues. The timeline (http://web.jccc.edu/edtech/lmsreview) is to send out the RFP this semester, receive bids and gather information from peer institutions. We would like to have faculty, students and staff test out the different systems starting as soon as possible and continuing during the first part of the spring semester, then collect comments and make a recommendation during the spring semester so the new system can be purchased July 1.

At the noon forum Friday Oct 11, comments were:
-need longer time for sandbox testing (update – I requested course shells on Angel and Desire2Learn in August, although they say that they only last 30 days both of mine still exist and are functioning, without my having to request more time).
-need to have students test new systems
-need to test ePacks from various publishers
-eCollege was mentioned by several people as a system to look at
-need to address student preparedness to take an online class (update – this will be considered by DLCC)

Testing of new systems:
Vendors will be asked to provide sandbox space (to last several months) for faculty to test. As we get bids from vendors, it is important that faculty test out the systems to see if they meet your needs. We will provide a system to collect comments and share those back with the faculty as we get closer to recommending a system for purchase. At this point, faculty can obtain sandbox space on Angel (http://www.angellearning.com click on Request a Sandbox) and Desire2Learn (email Jonathan Bacon). As most faculty will not have the time to do in-depth testing (which we felt was critical), 2 faculty have been designated as "thorough testers" - Julane Crabtree (Math) and Jim McWard (English), both of whom have been given some release time during the spring semester. Both have course shells which suffered serious problems under Blackboard, and have extensive experience teaching online and working with other faculty to create online courses.

Second Life
The KCREACHE (Kansas City Regional Consortium for Higher Education) Second Life Forum will focus on defining terms and demonstrating the use of Second Life for educational purposes. Come and see the virtual world “Second life” and explore its educational uses. The Second Life Forum is scheduled on Monday, October 29, 2007 from 1-2:30 PM in the General Education Building (GEB) room 233. “Real world” snacks and soft drinks will be provided. The presentation will end with an open question and answer period. Presenters will be available both in person and in-world (in Second Life). No cost, just your time. Invite your colleagues and bring them with you. Please email Beth Ramirez (bramirez@jccc.edu) or call her at (913) 469-8500 ext. 3670 to register for the session.