This session will compare and contrast approaches in the use of learning management technologies in higher education:

an enterprise model where a learning management system is centrally provided versus a consumer model where faculty are encouraged to use a wide variety of available Web 2.0 tools.

debate is not about philosophy

debate is not about technology

debate is about attention

the lms is entrenched…and for good reasons

SIS integration

grade management

assessment

course reserves

but that the lms is middleware

middleware is vital…….but it should not take much of our attention

recommendations:

do nothing

or at least………

go very slowly in:

switching to a new LMS

or

doing major version updates

focus attention (and resources) on:

Learning tools that are:

open & relevant

and can integrate with your LMS

open blogs

open wikis

open publishing platforms

easy authoring tools

switching (often upgrading) costs too high

and

your LMS is cheap

ignore your LMS

attention to tools for openness and relevancy