Version 1.0<\/p>\n
Paul O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n
5 October 2010<\/p>\n
\u2022\tPurchase a virtual server license to run a test installation of MOODLE, a free and open source LMS to investigate if it is a less expensive alternative to Blackboard and if it can be integrated with the applications in place at Lower Mainland College.<\/p>\n
\u2022\t North Carolina Community College System Learning Technology Systems Department reported a 72% decrease in total annual cost after switching from Blackboard to MOODLE (2)<\/p>\n
\u2022\tOther free and open source LMS systems were not considered, MOODLE is used at other local institutions (VCC and UVic) which will allow sharing expertise.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tCapital cost $2 000, and 120 days of staff time. (3)<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTo be in place for Winter 2012<\/p>\n
Date: Oct 5, 2010<\/p>\n
Project Number: 1<\/p>\n
Project Name: MOODLE Test Server<\/p>\n
Project Sponsor: Paul O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n
Department Primary Contact: Paul O\u2019Connor<\/p>\n
IT Primary Contact: Mr. X<\/p>\n
Project Capital Costs: $2 000<\/p>\n
IT FTE Effort (in days): 120<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTo purchase a virtual server license and run a test installation of MOODLE<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTo investigate the compatibility of MOODLE with Lower Mainland College\u2019s existing applications (Banner, Mediasite, Elluminate, Luminous, iTunes)<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTo allow faculty members to test the functionality of MOODLE and run demonstration courses from the test server.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThis project will evaluate the viability and costs of moving to a free open source LMS. MOODLE will not have an annual licensing fee, but may require additional support staff to be hired or contracting a third party to provide support. Other institutions have reported an overall decrease in operating cost once the transition from Blackboard to MOODLE has occurred. (2)<\/p>\n
\u2022\tGoal 2.3 a of the Strategic Plan is “Developing programs and\/or pathways of studies, where demand warrants, for online and\/or hybrid delivery\u201d (4) and investigating which LMS to use supports this goal<\/p>\n
The following are in scope:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tPurchase of a virtual server license and deployment of a test installation of MOODLE and integration with the College\u2019s applications (Banner, Mediasite, Elluminate, Luminous, iTunes)<\/p>\n
\u2022\tDocumenting the time required for set up, any issues that arise in integrating applications with MOODLE,reporting on the costs of migrating all courses to MOODLE, reporting the estimated ongoing costs of moving to MOODLE as the College\u2019s sole LMS.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe committee on Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning (ETTL) will designate two courses to run using MOODLE as the LMS and the faculty members will report on 1) the ease of course migration from Blackboard 2) a comparison of the ease of use of the most frequently used features (ie discussion forums, announcements, email, assessment and assignment tools) and comment on the impact of features that MOODLE lacks (digital drop box and date and time restrictions on release of materials) (5)<\/p>\n
The following are out of scope:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tPutting MOODLE into production as the College\u2019s sole LMS<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTraining faculty to use MOODLE<\/p>\n
\u2022\tInitial course migration to MOODLE will be done by the IT staff, but final adaptation of course content for the two test courses will be done by faculty on their accountable \/ PD time.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tCapital Costs: $2 000<\/p>\n
Direct Benefits (Cost Decrease):<\/p>\n
Indirect Benefits (Avoided costs):<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe total costs of using MOODLE are expected to be lower than Blackboard. (2) MOODLE will not require an annual license fee and some of this money will need to be reallocated to support staff or outside contracts.<\/p>\n
Soft Benefits:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tFaculty and staff will be able use Moodle.org for support, forums and conferences<\/p>\n
| Description<\/td>\n | Completion Criteria<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||
| Virtual server<\/td>\n | Virtual server installed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||
| MOODLE<\/td>\n | MOODLE installed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||
| integration<\/td>\n | MOODLE integrated with exisiting applications<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||
| Course migration<\/td>\n | Two courses are migrated from Blackboard to MOODLE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||
| Course delivery<\/td>\n | Two courses are delivered via MOODLE<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||
| Evaluation<\/td>\n | Faculty report on ease of use and feature comparison, IT department reports on integration issues, migration costs, ongoing costs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nRisks<\/span><\/h2>\n# 1<\/td>\n | Risk: MOODLE cannot run on virtual server<\/td>\n | Probability: L<\/td>\n | Impact: H<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Triggers: email to that effect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Preventative Actions: Check with IT department<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Contingency Plans: increase capital request to allow purchase of new server<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n |
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