Our Search for the Perfect Learning Management System

Angel Implementation Lead TeamMina JahanFred Chow

Cindy VinsonSteve Peltz

Curtis PembrookLisa Kaaz

What do students want?• Online easy registration to college

• Classes

• Grades

• Quick access to course materials

• Homework

• Responses to questions

• Tutoring

Distance Learning Enrollment

• Fall 2001 – 578• Fall 2002 – 922• Fall 2003 – 1003• Fall 2004 – 1375• Fall 2005 – 1546• Even with overall college enrollment

declining distance learning enrollment grows!

Background

• Two different CMS currently in use in the district– Blackboard at Mission

– WebCT at West Valley

• Hosted through the California Virtual Campus• Student accounts and course shells are manually

generated• Limited license agreements• Cannot accommodate all interested faculty

District CMS Selection Team

• Fred Chow

• Steve Peltz

• Vivian Lock

• Jim Henderson

• Tim Kelley

• Mina Jahan• Cindy Vinson• Heather Rothenberg• Susanna Pancella • Britta Burton

What is a CMS?

• Internet based set of tools that integrate– Learning resources (PowerPoint files etc.)

– Communication

– Testing

– Calendar

– Grade book

– Collaboration for instruction, research, etc.

• Blackboard and WebCT are examples of CMS

But Our Students Deserved More

• More reliable system

• Faster processing of student adds for quicker online course access

• Availability of CMS for all courses both online and on-campus

• Better collaboration tools

• Ease of use

From a CMS to a LMS

• Integrate with Datatel for course and student profiles

• Available for all classes• Use a “common” library for storage of content

allowing for more collaboration and sharing• Supports both synchronous and asynchronous

learning events• Can be accessed on handheld devices

An LMS is Accessible to Everyone

• Faculty• Students• Administration• Staff• Community and Contract Education• Grant Seekers• Clubs• Any other groups associated with the District

And the Winner is…

• Blackboard

• WebCT

• Angel Learning

• Desire2Learn

• eCollege

• ETUDES

Why Angel?

• Ease of use

• Integration with Datatel

• Wide variety of powerful learning tools and features available

• Unlimited license

• Highly recommended by other colleges

• Quality vendor support

Angel Implementation Team

• West Valley• Fred Chow• Steve Peltz• Lisa Kaaz• David Duncan• Carl Jones• Michael Byers• Sandy Lafave• Dulce Gray

• Mission• Mina Jahan• Cindy Vinson• Curtis Pembrook• Helen Sun• Melanie Meyer• Betty Christopher• Mark Garrett• District• Melissa Mac Reynolds• Pat Lillich

Implementation

• Current contracts with Blackboard and WebCT extend through 05/06

• Pilot a few courses in Angel this summer (5 courses from each campus)

• Set up server, integrate with Datatel etc.• Migrate all existing distance learning

classes for spring semester and automate student account creation

Implementation - continued

• Make Angel available for all courses by spring 2006

• Train current Blackboard users using a “differences” model.

• On-going training:– Workshops– Working seminars– Online tutorials– One-on-one

What’s in it for you?

• Will be able to easily communicate with students – even before classes begin

• Ability to upload course materials in a password protected area

• Access to the Angel grade book• Can automate many routine tasks (grading

quizzes, etc.• Ability to customize student learning

Angel Learning

• WVMCCD domain

• My training courses

• Test site