Sloan-C

Current Perspectives
on Learning Management Systems
In the February 2003 Sloan-C View, there was a lead article summarizing the give and take views expressed on the Sloan-C listserv regarding Learning Management Systems (LMS). The editors feel that there is more to be gleaned from a discussion of this topic and they have asked a university IT administrator and a knowledgeable faculty member to present perspectives regarding a series of probing issues related to LMSs.

ADMINISTRATOR PERSPECTIVE Dr. Don Spicer Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and CIO University System of Maryland	FACULTY PERSPECTIVE Dr. Marci McClive Director: whytech Project for Faculty Training Professor of Management, College of Business Frostburg State University
What is important to you when it comes to an institutional choice of a LMS?
Long term viability of the company Reliability of application Runs on a platform where there are in-house skills present Good technical support Reasonable pricing and stable pricing model	Choice Simplicity and integration, and a minimal investment of time in learning Minimal investment of time in "production" Reliability Extensibility
As with many software applications, there is the choice of build versus buy. What is your view regarding these two options?
Features vs Resources Collaborative approaches Experience Leverage	Buy! But, perhaps more than one . . .
Who should be at the table when an institution decides on a LMS strategy and product?
Clearly all stakeholders have to have a say, but...	Faculty Students
One of the perceived barriers to using technology in support of teaching and learning is sometimes referred to as administrivia—the need by faculty to key in class lists, grade books, etc. over and over. How big a problem is this really?
Administrators put a high value on reducing this barrier to faculty adoption	Batch load process, copy the course structure and content,administrative support
What features are critical in order to provide an online learning environment?
Communication email asynchronous conferencing chat Multimedia publishing Foreign language, natural science, and mathematics editing capabilities Modular design Assessment capabilities Tutoring capabilities Integrated class management tools Calendar Homework grader would be desirable	Communication announcements place to exchange files gradebook mechanism automatic lost password response calendar Assessment and automatic grading A logical interface/navigation More control of the look and feel of the page (without html) Access to directories Managing more than one section Smoother multimedia transitions and linking files within directories Addressing delivery for multiple student learning needs

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