Report from A-TAC

Update from A-TAC (Academic Technology Advisory Committee)

Clickers – the evaluation of different systems (IClicker, InterWrite, and Turning Point) will continue through the Spring semester. No decision has been reached on which system is preferred.

Second Life – work is continuing on the JCCC island. There are about 18-20 JCCC pioneers who are setting up in Second Life, and Michael Robertson and Paul Decelles both have sabbaticals next year to work on projects in Second Life. There will be more focus in the Spring semester on making faculty comfortable, and specific projects.

Wireless – will be working on getting student input for prioritizing which buildings go wireless. The plan is to have the entire campus wireless within 2 years.

LMS replacement – http://web.jccc.edu/edtech/lmssearch/

a draft RFP has been written:

JCCC is soliciting proposals for an internet-based Learning Management System (LMS) for our credit, non-credit, and staff development courses. The proposals will be evaluated on the following:

* Event-based integration with SunGard Banner
* Ease of use/usability,
* Inclusion of desired features,
* Support for migration of content from Blackboard 6 CE, training available on the new system, and ongoing support once the new LMS has been purchased and implemented
* Cost
Proposals should be submitted by January 22. Vendors will be asked to provide a campus presentation of their software, and provide faculty and students testers with access to test/sandbox course shells for evaluation purposes through May 2008.

As part of the bid process, we have created a list of desired features that the new LMS should have. Basically, we listed the tools that we currently have available in Blackboard (we added one feature, the Wiki). Although not all faculty use every tool in Blackboard, we felt that a new system should include the features we already have rather than provide less or simpler options.
The desired features are fairly common (discussion list, email, assessments, etc) so we anticipate that most vendors will be able to provide these. Also, since this is a list of desired features, lack of them does not prevent a vendor from bidding - there is a space on the form where they can address this and explain if their software contains alternative tools or are planning an upgrade.
Also on the bid form vendors will be asked to provide references so that we will get input from other schools using these systems.
The bids are due by Jan 22 (there are some requirements about how long it has to be posted), at which point we will begin testing the different systems. In the RFP, we are requesting sandbox or test course shells for faculty and students so that we can do a thorough evaluation and make the best choice possible. We will send out information to all faculty on how to access the test courses as we get the bids, and we will be collecting feedback on each system in the Spring semester.

Future project – what should be the standards for media classrooms? Currently, all will be upgraded to Regnier Center standards. However, faculty who use Smart Boards need a second projector. Many high schools have rooms with multiple projectors and systems. Should there be some rooms which have more equipment than the Regnier Center standard? We will be surveying the faculty for input.