When we began to gather information to begin shaping our LMS rubric, we decided to start with a deeper analysis of the assignment scenario using Bates and Poole’s SECTIONS framework (2003). Although we used the information gathered for the ‘C’ and ‘T’ portions of the framework, we did not include this information directly in the submitted assignment, but instead used it to help establish the rubric itself and our rationale. I have included my research notes here for these two sections. The ‘S’ and the ‘E’ portions which I also took responsibility for were included in the assignment post preceding this one as a part of our submitted assignment.
Costs- When considering the costs of selecting an LMS, Athabasca University will need to consider the actual cost of the Learning Management System and weigh this against the costs that may potentially result from the losses that could occur should they invest in a poorly selected platform. If the management system fails to meet the needs of the students ‘fewer students might enroll, or alumni might reduce their donations if they do not view the institution as being innovative and competitive” (Wright et al., 2014). Beyond the actual cost of the platform software, assuming that an LMS that is not open source is selected, other costs that must be considered are things such as technological upgrades or necessary infrastructure changes that may be needed in order for the university to run or host the platform, as well as the wages of those individuals providing IT support for students and staff that will be using the LMS. Other aspects of cost that will need to be factored in are the possible costs that the university may incur from the necessary expenditures needed to provide training for staff if a new LMS is adopted and wages paid to staff that are responsible for creating and then maintaining the courses. There are far more budgetary issues to consider when making this type of decision apart from the actual cost of the platform itself.
Teaching and Learning- When evaluating the appropriateness of a potential LMS, Athabasca University will want to closely examine the affordances and features inherent in the learning platforms that they are considering. In order to adequately meet the needs of both the learners and the instructors, the LMS should contain feature such as:
– user friendly discussion forum areas in which students are able to post and reply via discussion threads
– internal and external communication features such as email applications for asynchronous communication, as well as opportunities for synchronous communication via live chat areas for both student to student discourse and student to instructor discourse as well
– organizational features such as message and announcement notifications, course calendars/schedules, and ‘drop box’ type areas in which students can submit their assignments for grading
– varied assessment format options, multi-medium course delivery options, and a private area in which instructors can post student grades and feedback while allowing students to view their course progress in a secure manner
– flexible lesson and interactivity options that would allow for the course content to be designed and delivered in a way that would appeal to a variety of learning styles. Due to the targeted region in this particular case, cultural differences may also need to be accounted for in the course design and delivery
Due to the nature of online learning, it would be in the best interests of Athabasca University to seek out an LMS that not only enables, but encourages student collaboration in order to create a learning community which will further serve to strengthen the students online learning experience and increase the chances of the students enrolling in additional classes with the university in the future.
References:
Bates, A.W. & Poole, G. (2003). Chapter 4: a Framework for Selecting and Using Technology. In
Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success. (pp. 77-105). San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publishers.
Wright, C.R., Lopes V., Montgomerie C. T., Reju, S. A., Schmoller. S. (2014, April 21). EDUCAUSE Review. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/selecting-learning-management-system-advice-academic-perspective