Difference between revisions of "Brock University 2008 Update"

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(New page: Queen’s University – Activities and Issues in E-Learning Prepared for OUCEL Summer Institute 2008 Activities: Learning Management Systems Review - determined current LMS landscape is...)
 
 
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Queen’s University – Activities and Issues in E-Learning
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==Goodbye Blackboard, Hello Sakai==
Prepared for OUCEL Summer Institute 2008
 
Activities:
 
Learning Management Systems Review - determined current LMS landscape is in flux and we’ll stay with WebCT 4.1 (while investigating alternatives, including building our own modules and putting effort into integration – thus allowing flexibility). Integration is an important factor -- how can we make the new e-learning experience as simple/efficient as possible by integrating existing applications: ie:  Portal, Wiki, Qshare
 
  
The podcast/vodcast studio - building mechanism for recording and uploading multimedia files. Media distribution options are: streaming, progressive downloading (pod/vodcasting). Students and teachers from all over the world are learning from audio and video programs on desktop computers, laptops, iPods, Pocket PCs, Palm handhelds, and other devices.
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<ref name="sakai">http://www.brocku.ca/ctlet/sakai/</ref> Thanks to the decision of the office of the Vice-President Academic to move to an open source Sakai-based Learning Management System (LMS), Brock University has an opportunity to build a new LMS.
New initiatives related to the studio (fall/winter):
 
- Live streaming support for faculty/staff.
 
- Support of flash streaming including H.264 mpeg4 codec.
 
  
Emerging Technology Centre - the ETC is open to Queen's faculty, staff, and students and functions as a research, development, and evaluation space for emerging technologies.
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This proposed new system will be based on the [http://www.sakaiproject.org/ community-based LMS: Sakai] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai_Project Wikipedia article]). Brock's new Sakai-based system will be built upon a cluster ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_cluster Wikipedia article]) that will have all the features of a strong system that is redundant, reliable, scalable, and with sufficient capacity.
It provides a showcase of multimedia resources for the Queen's community, and serves as a gathering space for experimentation with new technologies for teaching and learning.
 
  
Classrooms of the Future – a recently formed committee looking into the technical requirements of physical learning spaces.
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The spring of 2008 marks the beginning of a phased transition to Brock using exclusively a Sakai-based LMS for the 2009 academic year. As of July 31st 2009 WebCT will no longer be available at Brock. An [http://kumu.brocku.ca/sakai/Implementation_Plan implementation plan] has been drafted to assure this transition can be accomplished without incidents and discontinuities.
  
Provisioned students with file sharing and wiki space.
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A [http://www.brocku.ca/ctlet/sakai/contest.php contest] to name the new Sakai-based is currently being held. The Centre for Teaching, Learning and Educational Technologies (CTLET) and others are already beginning the process of [http://kumu.brocku.ca/sakai/Main_Page documenting Sakai] and training faculty.
  
Issues:
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Matt Clare, from the CTLET presented a summary of the Sakai pilot in poster format in Paris, France this past July 2008.
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[[Image:Paris poster.jpg|200px]]
  
See LMS review above
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==iTunesU==
  
Centre for Teaching and Learning Needs Assessment – Faculty highlighted the need for pedagogically sound approaches for integrating technology, whether it was with WebCT, Clickers, Video-conferencing, or PowerPoint. A number of respondents wrote comments similar to this one “I would love to attend workshops on using technology in the classroom. NOT how to use a certain program workshops, but rather, seminars on how to incorporate technology into course planning and design”. Faculty also wanted more access to online resources and workshops. In response to these needs, the CTL has restructured to ensure that technology is again a high priority, working closely with the Emerging Technology Centre we will provide consultations, workshops, and resources for faculty to engage with technology.
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The [http://www.brocku.ca/ctlet/ CTLET] has recently taken the lead in implementing [http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu/ iTunes U] at Brock University. Through Brock's iTunes U presence, podcasts can be distributed publicly and semi-privately to authenticated members of the Brock University. This tool provides the necessary storage and bandwidth for large scale distribution of video and audio content as well as an interface to allow instructors, staff, and maybe students to distribute content directly without having to go through any form of gate-keeping.
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http://kumu.brocku.ca/itunesu/Main_Page
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==Collaborative Applications for Teaching and Learning==
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Instructors can now request wiki spaces in the Brock University [http://kumu.brocku.ca/ Teaching Wiki].
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[http://kumu.brocku.ca/twiki/New_Instructor_Guide_to_Teaching_and_Learning_at_Brock_University Teaching & Learning Guide] moves online
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==Upcoming for Fall-Winter 08-09==
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*Active Directory on campus- we're moving to single sign-on!
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*Learning Commons due to open in September 2008. Increased distributed learning opportunities.
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*Faculty Gradebook- marks in Sakai may actually make their way digitally to the Registrar
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[[Category:OUCeL]]

Latest revision as of 10:48, 24 September 2024

Goodbye Blackboard, Hello Sakai

<ref name="sakai">http://www.brocku.ca/ctlet/sakai/</ref> Thanks to the decision of the office of the Vice-President Academic to move to an open source Sakai-based Learning Management System (LMS), Brock University has an opportunity to build a new LMS.

This proposed new system will be based on the community-based LMS: Sakai (Wikipedia article). Brock's new Sakai-based system will be built upon a cluster (Wikipedia article) that will have all the features of a strong system that is redundant, reliable, scalable, and with sufficient capacity.

The spring of 2008 marks the beginning of a phased transition to Brock using exclusively a Sakai-based LMS for the 2009 academic year. As of July 31st 2009 WebCT will no longer be available at Brock. An implementation plan has been drafted to assure this transition can be accomplished without incidents and discontinuities.

A contest to name the new Sakai-based is currently being held. The Centre for Teaching, Learning and Educational Technologies (CTLET) and others are already beginning the process of documenting Sakai and training faculty.

Matt Clare, from the CTLET presented a summary of the Sakai pilot in poster format in Paris, France this past July 2008. 200px

iTunesU

The CTLET has recently taken the lead in implementing iTunes U at Brock University. Through Brock's iTunes U presence, podcasts can be distributed publicly and semi-privately to authenticated members of the Brock University. This tool provides the necessary storage and bandwidth for large scale distribution of video and audio content as well as an interface to allow instructors, staff, and maybe students to distribute content directly without having to go through any form of gate-keeping.

http://kumu.brocku.ca/itunesu/Main_Page

Collaborative Applications for Teaching and Learning

Instructors can now request wiki spaces in the Brock University Teaching Wiki.

Teaching & Learning Guide moves online

Upcoming for Fall-Winter 08-09

  • Active Directory on campus- we're moving to single sign-on!
  • Learning Commons due to open in September 2008. Increased distributed learning opportunities.
  • Faculty Gradebook- marks in Sakai may actually make their way digitally to the Registrar