Selecting and Using MLEs
and VLEs
Professor Stephen Brown
Acting Head
JISC Technologies Centre
24 May 2001 University of Hertfordshire
Overview
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UK developments
Key decisions
e-tools
Criteria
UK developments
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http://www.jisc.ac.uk/jtap/
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/jciel/mlesg
http://cetis.bangor.ac.uk/cetis/intro.html
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/dner
http://www.jtap.ac.uk/techwatch/
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/jcas/
JISC Technologies Centre
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/mle/7-99/
JCIEL projects
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CoManTLE
MARTINI
The Virtual Desk
SMILE
INSIDE
Student focus
Generic integrated
MIS
• Integrating CAA into
an MIS
• Towards an
Integrated Student
Record
• Content packaging
and management
• CO3
• TIRCs
UK developments
• http://ferl.becta.org.uk
• http://www.hefce.ac.uk/partners/euniv/
• http://www.ufiltd.co.uk/materials/qualifie
d.htm
• http://www.ltsn.ac.uk
• NHS
Key decisions
• VLE or MLE?
• Buy or DIY?
VLE?
or MLE?
MIS tools
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EBS
Genesis
HEMIS
MicroCompass
SAP
SCT/Banner
MLE/VLE tools
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AdminSTAR
Blackboard
British Aerospace
CBT Campus
Campus Pipeline
Centra Symposium
ClassAct
Colloquia
CoMentor
COSE
First Class CC Gold
inClass
Ingenium
Interactive Training Manager
LearnWise
Lotus Learning Space
Lotus Pathware
Manager’s Edge
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Merlin
MENTOR
Mindlever
PARS
PHOENIX Networks
PHOENIX Web
Registrar 7 for Windows
SABA
SkillVantage Manager
Solstra
STAR
The Learning Environment
TopClass
Virtual Campus
Virtual Learning Network
Virtual U
WebCT
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WISDOM
Buy or DIY?
• Proprietary systems
– cost
– speed of implementation
– performance
• Open standards/“best of breed”
– cost
– speed of implementation
– performance
Criteria
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Accessibility
Usability
Functionality
Robustness
Scalability
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Sustainability
Portability
Cost
Strategic fit
Accessibility
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Platform
Software
Network types
Bandwidth
On/off campus
On/off line
Usability
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Interface design
Badging
Navigation model
Language, spellings, terminology
Support for learning?
Pedagogic neutrality?
Functionality (learners)
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Course schedule
Course content
Assignments
Feedback
Class lists
Student home pages
Individual student
records
• Multimedia resources
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E-mail
Conferencing tools
Noticeboard
Chat
Off-line working
Search tools
Bookmarking
Print
Customisable?
Functionality (tutors)
• Add/create/edit
courses
• Class lists
• Student grouping
• Assignment marking
• Progress recording
• Course/class
statistics
• Communication
– individuals
– groups
Functionality (admin)
• Student and staff
registration
• Links to MIS
• Authentication
• Authorisation
• e-commerce
• System
performance
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availability
response times
usage volumes
usage patterns
Robustness
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Reliability
Authentication
Authorisation
Systems integration
Installed user base
Support 24 x 7
Scalability
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Single server?
Single site?
Network requirements?
Staff development
Technical support
Content management
3rd party content
Sustainability
• Product development
• Market position
• Strategic alliances
Portability
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Content
Pedagogic style
Navigation models
Interface design
Standards
Copyright
Cost
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Per user
Per server
Per site
Per level of functionality
Indirect costs
Strategic fit
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MLE/deployment strategy
Institutional vision
L&T strategy
IT strategy
Resourcing strategy
Motivators
1.Technology
2. University goals
3. Student expectations
Goals
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Strengthen on-campus delivery
Expand off-campus delivery, esp. Asia
Market share in Global markets
Efficiency gains/cost reductions
Improving teaching quality
Being seen to be current
Graduate employability
History
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In-house RBL
Limited impact of earlier schemes
Web site proliferation
Started 1996-1999
Management
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Strong VC with vision
Top down leadership
Central budget
Senior champion
Integrated IT Services/Educational
technology units
Strategy
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Best of breed
DIY
Compulsory/voluntary
Standards
– mixture
• Tools
– generic
– simple
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Single sign-on
Authentication hub
Active server pages
Re-usable objects
Conclusions
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MVLEs here
Strategic tool
Proprietary systems temporary fix
DIY
Best of breed
Standards
Help
• http://www.jisc.ac.uk/mle
• http://www.focus.ac.uk
• http://multimedia.marshall.edu/it/cit/web
ct/compare
• http://www.ctt.bc.ca/landonline
sbrown@dmu.ac.uk
http://www.ecampus.dmu.ac.uk
Professor Stephen Brown
Acting Head
JISC Technologies Centre
stephen.brown@ltsn.ac.uk