ACC Department of Teaching and Learning: 08/01/2006

Bonnie, Dinah, Conrad and Glen ( Judy )

We had a meeting to begin discussing options for computer mediated teaching and learning at ACC.

We discussed the recent announcement by WebCT to introduce a new version and to stop supporting the current version to which ACC subscribes. Conrad felt that the new version would be more Blackboard than WebCT.

Dinah mentioned Desire2Learn and it seems that RRC is planning to use that platform and has perhaps made tentative offers to share resources and expertise with us.

Bonnie reiterated the intention of the college to offer courses using technology appropriately with a consideration to all parties; administration, faculty and, most importantly, students.

The timeline for conversion of Educational Assistant and Web Design should be on track to present a concept to college council by May. Some concern was expressed, based on information provided by Judy Pilling that the EA curriculum requires extensive revision before it is marketable. This will likely require human resources to rewrite parts of the program. It is unlikely that the two instructors, recently hired on term to deliver the program starting in Sept. , could be expected to rewrite the program for this purpose.

There was some discussion of using Moodle as a platform. There might be a requirement for a Linux server although Conrad pointed out that there is a Windows version now available. Either way Bonnie felt that we should be able to assemble resources to support a pilot using Moodle if it was indicated by research as a viable platform. Glen will begin this investigation and seek input from various resources inside the college and beyond.
Glen will begin research as soon as possible into viable alternative CMS and web based collaborative learning tools.

Please use the commenter section. If anyone is interested I can make this a collaborative team blog.

ACC Department of Teaching and Learning