Students are invited to try out and give feedback about two potential online Learning Management Systems (LMS) that could replace the current BlackBoard system, which has been used under the former Web CT title for several years.
“There is nothing [Portland State] can do to improve the product,” said Sharon Blanton, chief information officer. “It is pretty much at a stand still now because the company is working to develop new products instead of working to enhance the existing products. We did evaluate the new BlackBoard product but it did not appear to meet the needs of our faculty and students.”
The Advisory Committee on Academic Technologies has invited two finalists to campus to demonstrate their LMS solutions to faculty, staff and students. The systems, Remote-Learner and Desire2Learn, are designed to make teaching and learning online easier, according to a press release from the Office of Information Technologies.
Students are invited to attend the demonstrations and provide feedback, and refreshments will be served.
“Faculty and students were surveyed last year to provide input as to the features and functionality they would like to see in a new product,” Blanton said. “At the earliest, we would like to have the new system in place for fall 2010, but it could very well take longer pending the outcome of the evaluations this month, contract negotiations, and scheduling.”
Remote-Learner schedule
Core LMS demonstration
How a course is created and managed, including posting files, quizzes assignments and discussions
Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., SMSU, room 228
Jan. 15, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., SMSU, room 236 (repeat session)
Advanced features demonstration
Emphasis on advanced features such as calendars, intelligent communications, whiteboard, audio recovery and glossary
Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., SMSU, room 228
Jan. 15, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., SMSU, 236 (repeat session)
Hands on guided practice
An opportunity to try out the software using test system based on actual Portland State courses
Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to noon, Broadway Housing Building, room 225
Jan. 15, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Broadway Housing Building, room 225 (repeat session)
—Office of Information Technologies press release
Desire2Learn schedule
Core LMS demonstration
How a course is created and managed, including posting files, quizzes assignments and discussions
Jan. 20, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., SMSU room 228
Jan. 21, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., SMSU room 228 (repeat session)
Advanced features demonstration
Emphasis on advanced features such as calendars, intelligent communications, whiteboard, audio recovery and glossary
Jan. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., SMSU room 228
Jan. 21, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., SMSU 228 (repeat session)
Hands on guided practice
An opportunity to try out the software using test system based on actual Portland State courses
Jan. 20, 11 a.m. to noon, Broadway Housing room 225
Jan. 21, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Broadway Housing room 225 (repeat session)
—OIT press release