University of WisconsineLearning Systems Current State
Common Solutions Group May 7, 2003
Dirk Herr-Hoyman
eLearning System Architect
University of Wisconsin-Madison
May 7, 2003 University of Wisconsin-Madison 2
What is an eLearning System?
• Yet another TLA like CMS and LMS
• Framework, tools, and content
• Similar technology to portals and other integrated apps like SIS, ERP
• An “eWhatever” type of name for online services
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History at Wisconsin
• Tradition of distance learning from Extension
• Multiple systems on multiple campuses
• Interest in a UW Systemwide Hosting Utility
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Landscape 1998-
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Landscape 2002
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Key Questions for UW
• Can we afford to support multiple courseware systems?
• Is there one product or set of products that will meet the e-learning needs?
• Where is the marketplace today?• What would we like it to go?• What is the cost of enterprise learning
systems?
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eLearning System RFP
• UW CIOs charged a Task Force with recommending a single product or set of integrated products
• Year long process, Feb 2002- Feb 2003
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RFP Architecture Vision
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RFP Process
• RFI – 31 responses, RFP – 16 responses
• Finalists: Bb, WebCT, Granada Learnwise, Desire2Learn
• Online demos and demo accounts for finalists
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Technology Profile of Finalists
• Blackboard: Sticking with hybred
• WebCT: Switching to J2EE
• Granada: Switching to J2EE and open source
• Desire2Learn: MS COM (pre-.NET)
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Selection of Desire2Learn
• Hiding under a rock until our RFP
• Best functional, adequate technical
• User experience design uber alles
• Bb and WebCT were caught off guard
• Spent time after 2001 working on functionality, not technology
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Desire2Learn Implementation
• Migration of all WebCT and Blackboard courses by June 04
• Single hosting Utility at Madison
• Integration with multiple campus systems
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Challenges of a young company
Risks• Largest customer• Growing staff quickly• MS technology• Too popular, many
new sales• Shift to partnership
Opportunites• Responsive to our
requirements• Build a good vendor
relationship from beginning
• Remove product branding (WebCT/Bb)
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