Group items tagged

I found this resource particularly useful. It addresses some of the key barriers and misconceptions about integrating social media into the classroom. Contains some interesting facts and figures regarding interaction on social media websites and how this usability could be linked to learning management systems.

This article addresses the use of learning management systems as a "social portal" for learning. It also discusses the integration of web 2.0 tools into an LMS. Though it deals with one specific LMS, many of the topics are applicable to other learning management systems.

This article is great for someone looking beyond the traditional LMSs out there. It suggests an alternative in WordPress and BuddyPress and provides a thorough analysis of how they can used, the differences, along with the pros and cons of using a non-traditional LMS.

This page helps define the terms and methods for discussing the usability of a LMS. The resource has been developed by the Moodle company. Some terms defined include: usability vs. learnability, intuitive, 

A comparison of Blackboard, Desire2Learn, Moodle, and SAKAI in light of their accessibility to all users, including those with disabilities. These LMSs were tested in eight categories including login, personalization, navigation, modules/tools, forms, authoring tools/content creation, help, and features affecting accessibility.

This website has a quick overview comparing the features of 7 different LMSs including two we are looking at, Blackboard and Moodle, in our SIG.

This is a committee report describing University of North Alabama's comparison of three LMSs including both Blackboard and Angel. The report looked at the ability of the LMSs to meet certain criteria including Wide user base, scalability, vendor stability, learning outcomes management and reporting and others.

This article references a number of pieces of research on online learning and distance education. This includes six elements of a distance learning program as well as descriptions of which students may be served by online vs. traditional education.

A good resource regarding online learning in the K-12 environment. This provides insight into the social learning process from the point of view from both the student and the teacher (i.e. student collaborating with students / students collaborating with teachers).

This article reflects the theoretical views on what inhibits learning within online classes. It begins by identifying students enrolled in higher ed today as differing significantly for those considered to be "traditional" students. Students today want a "stripped down", as stated by the author, version of education. They don't want to pay for that which they won't use. Contemporary students are more interested in high quality courses that focus on learning the topic at hand, rather than the extra experiences one can attain by attending university in a traditional fashion.

One of the more interesting points regading the pedagogical element of online learning is that higher ed instructors don't take classes in how to teach students, which can make for some less than stellar instructors. And, this phenomenon is exaccerbated by technology and distance learning. In other words, those with poor classroom teaching skills are generally worse online teachers.

*This article is on the older side (2002), but I liked that it addressed distance learning as a category and highlighted general barriers to distance learning. Perhaps all problems are related to the LMS.*

This is an article from Campusreporter.com. It has student feedback about the Desire2Learn LMS. The comments from students are both positive and negative. Using the commentary in this article some of our own testing can be directed. Essentially, see if what the students said for the article still hold true.

This PDF addresses a number of issues related to learning management systems. Specifically, I plan on pulling out some information relating to collaborative learning and customization for creating an engaging learning experience.

This is a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Desire2Learn LMS at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is a 25-page "milestone" report of the methodology, student and faculty use, impact on learning, and many other outcomes of the implementation.

This is an older article dating in the late 90's but it is interesting to note that some of the same problems still exist, just in a more modern version. Firstly, contact and communication with the instructor and class, is still a contemporary issue. We think this has been solved with email, texting and skype, but if the instructor doesn't believe that as much interaction needs to be given to online students as campus ones, then it still stands as a barrier. Also, technical skills of students and faculty is listed and still true today, as well as the lack of support services.

A good resource covering integration of web 2.0 tools in learning management systems. Also covers the "major players" of social media (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and their possible application in learning management systems.

This site allows one to "click to compare" 40 different LMSs (including different versions of the same system).