Software for Distance Software for Distance Learning: Be Wise Before Learning: Be Wise Before

You DecideYou Decide

Dr. Meri MacLeodDr. Meri MacLeodWestern Theological SeminaryWestern Theological Seminary

May 2008May 2008

User or Buyer MythsUser or Buyer Myths

One system is best for everyoneOne system is best for everyone NO users are available to talk toNO users are available to talk to NO costs are involvedNO costs are involved Saying “yes” is the ONLY right decision NOWSaying “yes” is the ONLY right decision NOW Delay means you lossDelay means you loss New produce has NO track record or test New produce has NO track record or test

records – beta testingrecords – beta testing

Be Informed and ProactiveBe Informed and Proactive

Delay in purchase/use allows time for the Delay in purchase/use allows time for the product to developproduct to develop

Get track record – frequency of upgrades, Get track record – frequency of upgrades, increase in fees, growth of your type of user, test increase in fees, growth of your type of user, test resultsresults

Study similar products – lean all you can (free Study similar products – lean all you can (free trial version) trial version)

Be Informed and ProactiveBe Informed and Proactive

Contact users and learn – current, experienced Contact users and learn – current, experienced and former users, network to learn what the and former users, network to learn what the vendor doesn’t want you to know, user groupsvendor doesn’t want you to know, user groups

Determine which limitations you can work with Determine which limitations you can work with and what benefits you MUST haveand what benefits you MUST have

Partnerships offer both benefits and limitations, Partnerships offer both benefits and limitations, look carefully and think longer than “right now”look carefully and think longer than “right now”

Be Informed and ProactiveBe Informed and Proactive

Major systems for library and distance learning Major systems for library and distance learning will require:will require: MaintenanceMaintenance IT supportIT support User trainingUser training Resource documentsResource documents Emergency interventionEmergency intervention Up gradesUp grades

Be Informed and ProactiveBe Informed and Proactive

Determine how each required element will be Determine how each required element will be addressed by the system you chooseaddressed by the system you choose Directly by the software company?Directly by the software company? Indirectly by the user (employee, volunteers)?Indirectly by the user (employee, volunteers)? By a third party support company – Moodle supportBy a third party support company – Moodle support

Which ones will you pay for – either Which ones will you pay for – either upfront or on an as needed basis?upfront or on an as needed basis?

Be Informed and ProactiveBe Informed and Proactive

Know who your primary users will be and Know who your primary users will be and include them in the decisioninclude them in the decision

What will happen if the produce or the company What will happen if the produce or the company disappears? Back up plan for ongoing success.disappears? Back up plan for ongoing success.

Learn in specific details what your school or Learn in specific details what your school or department will need to do to prepare for department will need to do to prepare for installation.installation.

When you decideWhen you decide

Get the details of installation, maintenance, IT Get the details of installation, maintenance, IT support, up grades, documentation provided and support, up grades, documentation provided and user training all in writing.user training all in writing.

Be aware of renewal datesBe aware of renewal dates Keep careful records of the time invested and Keep careful records of the time invested and

money spent by your school. Renegotiate if money spent by your school. Renegotiate if promises are not kept.promises are not kept.

Be prepared for surprises, plan for the Be prepared for surprises, plan for the unexpectedunexpected

REMEMBER REMEMBER

Be an impulse decision maker!Be an impulse decision maker!

In the end, every software decision will come In the end, every software decision will come with surprises and the unexpected. You make with surprises and the unexpected. You make the best decision you can with the information the best decision you can with the information you have available at the time of the decision.you have available at the time of the decision.

Every experience will make you a wiser leader Every experience will make you a wiser leader for tomorrow!for tomorrow!