From
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
to
Learning Community Systems (LCS)
presented by
Fran Marshall & Ken Baldauf
Florida State University
>
Based on chapter to be published in:
Research on Course Management Systems in
Higher Education,
Ken Baldauf, Vanessa Dennen, Wenting Jiang, Fran Marshall,
Information Age Publishing, 2014, Edited by Dr. Angela Benson (University
Alabama) and Dr. Andrew Whitworth (University of Manchester) – part of the
“Perspectives in Instructional Technology and Distance Education” series.
Outline
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8.
FSU’s Program in Interdisciplinary Computing
Rationale and Motivation
Defining an LCS
Our LCS Solution
Implementation
Demonstration
Research Results
Conclusion
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WHAT IS PIC?
PIC is truly interdisciplinary
Reports to Deans and Steering Committee
• develops and promotes applied computer classes
• promotes innovative work of students
• explores new technologies for online education
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WHAT IS PIC?
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WHAT IS PIC?
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WHAT IS PIC?
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WHAT IS PIC?
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http://digitech.fsu.edu/
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Rationale and Motivation
for
Learning Community Systems
Page 2/22
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The (i)nternet Generation
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Talking about the iGeneration
The
Technology
Generation
The
Media
Generation
The
Expressive
Generation
The
Multitasking
Generation
The
Connected
Generation
The
Demanding
Generation
>
"The growth curve on the use of
technology with children is
exponential, and we run the risk
of being out of step with this
generation as far as how they
learn and how they think,"
Rosen says. "We have to give
them options because they want
their world individualized."
Inspiring the iGeneration!
Inspiring the iGeneration??
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Online Instruction Considerations
INSTRUCTOR ROLE
DESCRIPTION
Managerial
Maintaining orderly
records
Roster, dropbox, gradebook,
calendar
Pedagogical
Teaching and assessing
Media support, content
flexibility, quizzes
Profiles, chat, discussion
boards, notifications, mobile
Social
Technical
Enabling communications
and interactions among
course participants
Flexible and convenient
access
SAMPLE LMS TOOLS
Broad platform support,
mobile access
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LMS Support for Student Educational Needs
9.5
7.5
5.5
LMS Support
Student Need
3.5
1.5
-0.5
Managerial
Pedagogical
Social
Technical
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Quizzes
Lessons
Syllabus
Learning
Management
System
Social
Agenda
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Lessons
Syllabus
Social
Quizzes
Agenda
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Defining a
Learning Community System (LCS)
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Features of the ideal LCS
User Communication Feedback
Profile
Tools
Tools
Alerts &
Notifications
Content
Delivery
Course
Administration
Technical
Flexibility
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Market Review (2009)
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Two Major Concerns
Lack of
Customization
Social Interface
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Facebook
Privacy concerns
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Our Solution
www.buddypress.org
BuddyPress is a plugin
that transforms a
WordPress site into a
Facebook-like social
network.
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Installed on institution
servers, one installation
per class, for individual
class learning
communities.
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Benefits include:
• free
• private
• customizable (open
source)
• broad user base
• familiar user interface
• media support
• mobile support
• cross platform
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Social network features
 customizable user
profiles
 profile photos
 news feed
 discussion forums
 private & group
messaging
 email notifications
 customizable home page
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Drawbacks:
• not an LMS
• requires technical
skills
• not institutional
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Comparison of Tools and Desired Features
Features
Blackboard Edmodo Facebook Moodle Schoology BuddyPress
User Profiles
L
H
H
M
H
H
Communication
Tools
Feedback
Alerts and
Notifications
Content Delivery
M
M
M
M
M
H
M
M
M
M
L
H
M
M
M
H
H
H
M
M
H
M
M
L
Course
Administration
Graph One
Graph Two
Graph Three
The details text goes
here, this is an
example text for place
your text.
The details text goes
here, this is an
example text for place
your text.
The details text goes
here, this is an
example text for place
your text.
H
H
M
M
M
L
Graph Four
The details text goes
here, this is an
example text for place
your text.
Technical
Flexibility
Customizable
H
M
L
H
M
M
L
L
L
M
L
H
Social Interface
L
M
H
M
H
H
NOTE: Ratings based on ability to meet our needs in a given category.
H=high; M=medium; L=low
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Buddypress Plugins
Plugin
Chat Lite
CubePoints
Description
An asynchronous text chat plugin much like Facebook chat
Provides points for varying types of member contributions on the site, including a
badge system for rewarding active students and gamifying the course
Allows menu items in site navigation to link to outside sources such as the class
syllabus and calendar
Simple LDAP Authentication Allows students to login with their university credentials avoiding the need for yet
another password
Provides encrypted access for login and other Web forms on the site for privacy
WordPress HTTPS
and security
Vertically scroll RSS feed Allows RSS news feeds to be added to sidebar for scrolling course-related news
headlines
Shows members that are currently logged into the system to encourage
Who’s Online Avatars
synchronous chat
BuddyPress Search
Supports keyword searches across the site
bbSocial Twitter
Displays a Twitter feed in the sidebar
Page Links To
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Blackboard and Buddypress
Implementation
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Blackboard LMS
Course Administration
Assignment Submission
Gradebook
Grade Submission
Evaluation
Assignments
Quizzes
Exams
Learning Community
Course Content
Public Splash Page
Lessons in all formats
Exercises/Assignments
Community/Communication
Member Profiles
Course Announcements
News feed
Discussion forums
Synchronous chat
Email & messaging
Virtual office hours
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Let’s see it in
Action!
https://pic.fsu.edu/courses/2013/fall/cgs2821/
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Research:
The LCS From the Student’s
Perspective
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Student Feedback on the
LCS
In Fall of 2010 with 166 students,
the majority (78%) indicated that the
LCS was beneficial in assisting with
course interactions. Only 9% of the
students disagreed; others indicated
no opinion or did not respond.
Page 4/22
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Student Feedback on the
LCS
“Online learning communities
are the perfect way to share
thoughts and ideas
throughout the semester. I
feel very comfortable
knowing that there are many
other students out there that
can help me if I need it.”
“I think having everyone in
an online course use the
same kind of community
interface is a great idea. It
helps bring us closer to our
classmates even when we
don’t physically see each
other in class.?
Page 4/22
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Conclusion
Next Steps
Page 2/22
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• Building online community is key to the
success of online education
• User profiles and profile photos are useful in
students getting to know each other and
developing meaningful relationships
• A free flowing ongoing discussion
(newsfeed/status updates) is useful in creating
a relaxed environment in which students can
express themselves and get to know each
other
• BuddyPress provides a compliment to traditional
LMS for teachers who are technically savvy.
• LMS’s are beginning to incorporate social media
features but are still not making them central.
• Facebook Groups, Google+ Communities and
Twitter have arisen to better support educational
needs.
• The free flow of communication and information
over mobile devices is very important in
supporting education for the iGeneration.
Thank You!
This presentation available at www.techminded.co
Ken Baldauf kbaldauf@fsu.edu
Fran Marchall fbm11b@my.fsu.edu
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