This week I’ve been to training sessions to learn how Desire2Learn (our new LMS from next year) functions. It’s been week of adaptation and my brain hurts. I’ve had to restructure and adapt my mental models I have of how our old LMS (Blackboard Vista – formerly WebCT) worked – to a new one. While much functionality is similar, the way you do things is different. I suppose most of this is about how to system works rather than using the system for teaching. I have found it useful that we have been presented with examples of how particular tools and functions can help to develop learning activities.
While I’m learning new ways to build courses, create discussions & quizzes etc., I’m wary of mapping old work practices onto new ones – I’d rather start again from scratch and ask the question, “What do you want your students to do?” The new system provides new choices – not just in how to configure roles and permissions but also in look & feel and tools to use. I’ve come to understand that there’s a lot of work to be done, particularly to do with course building and learning design.
I suppose we’re initially focused in getting it as nearly right as possible so that we can migrate and get all the courses, staff & student into the system so that learning & teaching can begin when we roll out next year.
There may be some compromises in the first instance, so that the mainstream are operational, but from then on we’ll have to tweak things as we come to understand the possibilities and respond to issues and requests. The system will allow for these adjustments and I’m looking forward to being able to fine tune things once we’re underway.