- We are currently using ANGEL version 7.4 as our VLE/LMS. Our issues with the Wiki and Blogs involved disappearing posts. When a user would post a comment or correct their posting, all entries within the forum would disappear. The would reappear at random intervals and only to certain users. Some users were lucky and able to see the posts when they logged in, which others were never able to see anything.
- We contacted the parent company Blackboard about the issue, and they worked with us on the issue for about a week before they escalated the matter to a higher tier of technical support. We never heard any more on the matter except that the higher tier was going to look into the matter at their earliest convenience, and it ended there. We tried to learn more about the matter, but never were able to acquire any information. With that, the faculty member discontinued the project.
- We have looked into external sources, but have yet to find any brave instructors to try them. Most of the instructors only want to utilize items within the VLE/LMS, and refuse to look at external sources. We did have a few discuss the matter, but none of them were willing to pursue the matter further at this time. Hopefully we can continue our chat with the faculty in the near future and continue to garner their interest.

Kae, thank you for the video link. I found it entertaining and informative as the LMS professor mentioned many of the arguments that my faculty use when bringing up the topic.

I like the article because it pushes the concept of teaching outside the box. It emphasizes that instructors should not limit their instruction to within a Learning Management System and the tools inside. An LMS could have a wiki and blog built in, but it may not encourage a student to look beyond the contents of the course. Using social tools outside of an LMS may open the student to resources outside the traditional bounderies of the class. The tools will also be available after the course is completed, which would facilitate a life-long learning model instead of a short term interest.