Module - Infrastructure, Standards and CMS
Introduction:
This activity introduces you to what is needed to support Distance Learning from a technology perspective. It addresses the infrastructure, standards for distance learning, and course management software.
Objectives(CO-C):
1. Discuss the requireD infrastructure to support Distance Education courses and programs.
2. Identify the IT implications for support of this technology.
3. Articulate the role of IT staff in participating in strategic planning for integration of technology into online courses.
4. Discuss the IT role in computer user support, product evaluation/strategies, and utility tools.
Activity:
1 Find and compare 2 infrastructure checklists for use in assessing the organizations infrastructure as part of the strategic plan for moving to e-Learning.
Submit your comparison and sources using the assignment red text link in Blackboard.
This should be a type of document similar to what you might give to your boss - to the point.
2. You are serving on a committee to select a course management system for use in educating and training your faculty, students, or employees.
The concept of standards has come up. While you are familiar with SCORM, you don't know these other three that were brought to your attention: AICC, IMS, and LLC. The question is does our system need to have all four standards? Why would that be important or not?
You are charged with making a recommendation for which of these standards the CMS MUST comply with.
How will you go about finding out what these standards are and whether they are important?
What are they and how important would they be?
What is your recommendation? Why?
Present your findings and recommendation in the discussion forum.
3. Research information about course/learning management systems and content management systems.
While doing this focus on the difference between course/learning management systems (CMS/LMS) and content management systems (CMS) and the conditions under which one would be better than the other.
Go to this site "lms.findthebest" and using the criterion on the left search for a CMS. select the criterion for two CMS that meets your requirements
Go to the discussion forum and describe what you did, what you thought of these two sites, and what you found? Would this be a site(s) you would use in the future if in the position of making a recommendation for a CMS? Why or why not?
4. Research information about user support tools (see Chapter 12 Beisse book).
Add a page to the Tools wiki that describes a tool you would recommend, why you would recommend it, what it does, how it would be used, and what it costs.
Consider such tools as DriveBooster, CCleaner, HitmanPro, Advanced System Care and so forth.
Chapter 12 : Evaluating Teaching and Learning at a Distance