D2L Blog

Where We've Been (WebCT) and Where We're Going (Desire2Learn)

Welcome to the first official posting on USD's Desire2Learn Blog--hereafter known as the D2L Blog. It has been a long journey in getting to this point, so we wanted to update everyone as to what has been happening in our search for a replacement for WebCT.

First, where have we been? Well, believe it or not, we started looking at a replacement for our current version of WebCT back in late 2005. A task force was set up to evaluate the current "best-of-the-best" in the learning management system (LMS) market. Three were selected for final review: Angel, Desire2Learn and the newest version of WebCT. Due to various technical, financial and administrative questions and issues that could not be resolved--one complicating matter was that of WebCT being purchased by BlackBoard during the evaluation, making communication with them more difficult--a final candidate was not selected.

In late 2006, a larger committee was established to answer these questions and to develop a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). This took the remainder of 2006 as well as the first part of 2007 to develop. It was no surprise that the three main vendors--Angel, Desire2Learn and BlackBoard (formerly WebCT)--replied to the RFP and all three were again the finalists. Because of the RFP, we were able to make a more apples-to-apples comparison of the features and costs of each product.

To make a long story short, in the end Desire2Learn was selected as the product to replace WebCT, and the rest of 2007 up through mid-August was spent finalizing the contract with Desire2Learn.  So that brings us where we are today; well, actually this week.

Our first state-wide task force meeting was held last Tuesday (9/18) and our campus implementation team met last Friday (9/21). That being the case, while everything was fresh in our minds, we wanted to update you as to where we are going.

In regards to the state-wide task force, the following personnel represent USD:

• Laurie Becvar [Steering Committee]
  Dean
  Continuing & Distance Education
  


• John Flack [Technical Committee]
  Technology Integration Specialist
  Information Technology Services
  


• Eric Mosterd [Academic Committee]
  Coordinator of eLearning / Adjunct Instructor
  Center for Teaching & Learning

In addition to serving on the state-wide task force, we also chair the USD D2L Implementation Committee, which is made of representatives from academics, academic support and technology support personnel. The full list of committee members can be found at: http://blogs.usd.edu/d2l/resource/USD D2L Implementation Team.pdf.

The primary task of this committee will  be the planning and implementation of the campus migration to Desire2Learn.  Specifically, we are responsible for meeting all of our project milestones on time.  Members will also pilot courses in D2L during the Spring term, assist the campus with the migration and report to the task force.

We will make regular postings, so either subscribe to the D2L Blog, or check back frequently.  In our next entry, we will discuss the project milestones in more detail, along with our course conversion strategy.  Future topics will also include:  training structure and availability, migration strategies, best practices and tips, etc.

Posted at 03:09PM Sep 26, 2007 by Eric James Mosterd in General  |  Comments[0]