Elizabeth Wallace

In the opening discussion topic, we recorded out reactions to the news of the WebCT/Bbd event--let others debate whether it?s a merger, or a takeover. Almost immediately, we began to question whether this would encourage institutions to turn to Open Source solutions, such as Moodle.

Dan rattled a few cages by suggesting that Open Source is no cheaper than commercial packages, and went on to support his position with thought-provoking detail. Richard was inclined to agree, but Cindy argued that the investment in Open Source would benefit society. Andrew questioned why we weren?t putting teaching and learning issues and the need for innovation ahead of administrative costs.

Let?s pursue this question of whether Open Source is the best solution, in the face of what Alan calls ? behemoth like? proprietary platforms. Decision-makers at all our institutions are wrestling with this question. Dan has reminded us that ?one size does not fit all? so what are the issues where you work? Has the WebCT/Bbd event changed your organization?s attitude towards Open source? What criteria are guiding the thinking? Will Moodle or Sakai win the day?

I've been asked to make a short presentation on online communities of practice and would like to show a diagram that explains the stages of community development (from planning and initiation to growth, maturity etc).

I've been dipping into some of my favourite texts (Wenger et al., 2002; Preece,  2000) but I'm wondering if there are some new models that have caught the imagination of the "community enthusiasts" in this forum. I'm on the applied end of things, and would really appreciate input from those of you who study the theory of communities more than I. BTW, shameless promotion of your own papers and published works is definitely encouraged!!!

Were you shocked? Worried? Pleased? Indifferent? I?d like to welcome you to this two week seminar on the ?merger? between WebCT and Blackboard and invite you to share your reactions.

For the past few weeks, just about everyone involved in educational technology has been discussing the news from WebCT and Blackboard. Those are the proprietary learning management systems which seem to have conquered the world, and anyone who is not familiar with them, may want to visit the company websites for an overview.

If you have been following the discussions, you?ll know that some of the opinions reflect an institutional response; others have presented an industry perspective. As we begin this seminar, I?d like to propose that we focus for a short while on individual reactions.

My reasoning is that, often, after we read the views of the ?experts? on an issue, we conclude that our personal responses aren?t important, and we set them aside, instead of expressing them. In this forum, I?d like invite you to recall your very first thoughts on hearing the announcements. I hope some common themes will emerge from your individual reflections, and then we can use those themes to help us draw out the implications for our practice, now and in the future.

For me, the news came on Oct. 12th in an email to WebCT users from Carole Vallone, WebCT CEO. The subject of the message was Important Communication from WebCT and Blackboard. Frankly, I get one of these ?important? messages from WebCT several times a week and I almost didn?t read it. When I did, I was simply amazed. I had been at the WebCT conference in San Francisco in the summer and there wasn?t even a hint that changes of this kind were in the works. When I checked the WebCT website, I was redirected to the Blackboard website for a press release.

My first thoughts were of all the years I had spent building my expertise in WebCT, to add value to my own teaching and, later, to support other teachers. Did Carole?s announcement make that all worthless? Did any one else react the same way?

This is the time of year when faculty members are turning their attention to preparing new WebCT courses for the spring semester. One of the nicest things about teaching and learning in the lower mainland of BC is that we have no winter term! So as we think about January 06, what questions can we share about how to design, develop and deliver online courses? 

Some of my questions are about the use of multi-media in WebCT.  What works? What constitutes "too much" multi-media? How do we know when we've enhanced the learning experience? What have we learned about what NOT to do?

Does anyone agree with me that video can sometimes cause more problems than it's worth?

Two SFU professors, David Hannah and Derek Yee, have just been selected as winners of the annual TD Canada Trust distinguished teaching award in the Faculty of Business Administration.  Congratulations to David and Derek! Here is the link to the Nov. 3 Press Release.

The recognition of these professors reminds us that we have all had teachers who have inspired us. As we begin this new forum for the discussion of teaching and learning, lets exchange some thoughts on those special people in our lives.

I can begin by talking about my music teacher, Mr. Davies. In a Welsh school, music was very important. Mr. Davies inspired us with his love of music, his gentle manner and his wicked sense of humour.  Does a teacher need more?