Abstracts
An Emerging Enterprise-Wide Approach for Leading a Change to a Different Learning Management System
Tuesday 5 May 2009, 1200 - 1230
Presenter: Helen Carter
University of Canberra, ACT
Presenter Biography
Helen has over 26 years experience working in Higher Education and extensive experience in educational innovation and its practical implementation. In her various roles she has been and continues to be a catalyst for promoting interest and developments in teaching, learning, research and technical support. She is the founding editor of the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (JUTLP), published by the University of Wollongong, Australia. The Journal publishes papers that describe effective and innovative teaching and learning practice in the higher education environment. Since 1993 she has been involved with the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ascilite). Her contribution to the Society has been recognised by a fellowship and lifelong membership. She is also an executive member of the Australasian Council of Open, Distance and e-Learning (ACODE) and a member of the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). She has an active interest in educational leadership focusing on the management, governance and support issues surrounding the organisation of e-learning and e-teaching in the higher education sector. She consciously promotes conversation in higher education concerning useful strategies and techniques for making good educational materials and for setting up the frameworks for this to be nurtured and encouraged.
Abstract
Open source learning management systems such as Moodle and Sakai are fast gaining recognition nationally and internationally as a suitable alternative to proprietary systems such as WebCT or BlackBoard. This is evidenced internationally by a growing number of institutions using open source systems as their primary LMS. Within Australia there are only a few institutions but within the next 2-3 years it is anticipated that most higher education institutions are likely to consider an open source solution.
In the second half of 2008, during a period of stringent financial constraints, and significant structural change, the University of Canberra implemented Moodle as its enterprise LMS to replace WebCT Campus Edition 4.1 that had been in use since 1997. The University has partnered with an external service provider in undertaking this adventure.
This presentation will present lessons learned from several perspectives about what worked well, and what could have been done better. Specifically an examination of the leadership and governance issues arising from this opportunity; developing a distributive leadership model; finding effective ways to engage the institution in the change process; and identifying and acting on opportunities in times of change.
