The Search for the Truth Behind the Rumour: Dispelling Open Source VLE Myths

The Search for the Truth Behind the Rumour

Dispelling Open Source VLE myths

Bryony Bramer   Leo Havemann   Sarah Sherman

The Bloomsbury Colleges

© Ewan Mura

Photo credit: Ewan Munrohttp://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/2445298176/

A bit about us...

Aims & Objectives

• Our view

• The current options

• Defining some myths

• Weighing up the pros and cons

• What about you?

So Many Options

In the short term the question is whether/when to upgrade.

But looking beyond...

8

... is the VLE dead??

Should we now be thinking about PLEs?

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

VLE Options

Assuming we do need a VLE...

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).

“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)

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

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.

Option A: Stick with Blackboard 8Pros: •Easy•Familiar•Stable•Integrated•Standard

Cons: •Out-dated•Limited features•No long-term support •Restrictive•Expensive

Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9Pros: •More Features•Up-to-date•User-friendly•Familiar•Simple upgrade

Cons: •Over-hyped?•Need to relearn•Compatibility•Expensive•Restrictive

Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9Survey Feedback:

Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9Survey Feedback:

“easier to navigate”“more attractive layout”

“easier to find stuff” “more modern”

“It just doesn't get in the way so much”

Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9Survey Feedback:

“too much on the screen” “more clutter”

“far more 'buttons'” “seems slower”

“can't see what the improvement is”

Option B: Upgrade to Blackboard 9Pros: •More Features•Up-to-date•User-friendly•Familiar •Simple upgrade

Cons: •Over-hyped?•Need to relearn•Compatibility•Expensive•Restrictive

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

Summary

• Does it come down to which is the best product?

• Impact / Change management

• What next?

Your thoughts…

• Is your institution thinking 'what next'? • Any points we haven't touched on?

• Please discuss!

Bryony Bramer bbramer@rvc.ac.uk

Leo Havemann lh12@soas.ac.uk

Sarah Sherman s.sherman@bloomsbury.ac.uk