DELTA at NC State has transitioned from a commercial LMS (WebCT) to an open-source alternative (Moodle) to gain more control, stability, and flexibility for future growth. They have taken steps to manage perceptions that this was not just a cost-saving measure. Their model involves notifying stakeholders and soliciting input. Challenges include gaining buy-in for their collaborative approach and combating the "free as in free beer" mindset. They have branded their implementation of Moodle as "WolfWare" to feel more native to the NC State community.

1. Free like puppies not like beer: Our journey from a commercial LMS to an open learning environment. Lou Harrison Dr. Martin Dulberg

2. Agenda History of DELTA @ NC State History of LMS @ NC State Why Moodle? Perception Management Our Model Challenges Conclusion

4. Information Technology Division and the Libraries (Learning Technology Service)

6. DELTA Vision and Mission Vision We seek to improve the quality of education by harnessing technology to provide ready access for all learners. In this way we hope to meet the challenges of a changing society. Mission DELTA promotes the quality of education by extending the reach of the faculty, collaboratively applying expertise in technology and pedagogy in an efficient, effective, and service-oriented environment.

8. Educational Technology Services Applications Development Applications Support Media Distribution Video Communication Services

9. History of LMS @ NC State Early Days 1997 - WolfWare released 1999 - WebCT Campus Edition Pilot 2003 - WebCT Vista selected Transition to Enterprise Model 2004 - WebCT Vista Pilot 2005 - General release of WebCT Vista, migration from WebCT Campus Edition

10. History of LMS @ NC State Changes Fall 2005 - WebCT bought by Blackboard Spring 2006 - Support degradation Then a plethora of hardware, software and support concerns plagued us, on and off, until present.

11. History of LMS @ NC State Good time for re-evaluation Wolfware – 10+ years Campus Edition and Vista - 8 years (4 each) Concerns with Blackboard Where to go? What to do?

12. Why Moodle? Technical perspective - Moodle Based on a LAMP architecture Linux Apache MySQLPHP Robust and readily modifiable WolfWare has similar architecture

13. Why Moodle? Technical perspective - Moodle Architecture suited to the campus needs Fits technically Campus has LAMP expertise Successful integrations already (R&R) Custom Library block created Connections to Elluminate, etc.

14. DELTA Advisory Council- Endorsement We intend to move towards an integrated NC State branded LMS (to be named WolfWare) based on an Open Source code base. We will follow an Open Source philosophy with provision for the integration of proprietary products. The Open Source product which best fits our campus LAMP experience and expertise is Moodle. An example proprietary product to be integrated is the synchronous meeting product Elluminate.

15. Perception Management Our goal is not to save money; rather, our goal is to implement a stable, reliable and robust LMS that will be used by both Distance Education (DE), on-campus, traditional courses, and nontraditional courses alike, with the following in mind: Support common tools Flexibility to add tools Participate with peers Support off-model activities

16. Perception Management Open ≠ Free Not selling this change as a cost savings* Strategic direction for LMSs @ NC State (10.05.07) 1. Stability & reliability 2. Future growth & flexibility 3. Control our destiny 4. Potential future collaboration with UNC System Branding issues * We will realize some cost savings though

17. Perception Management Collaboration is very important! Want to give back, not just give money Satisfy the broad needs on campus Build something that will fit For Credit Classes Non Credit Classes Extension Research …

18. Discussion Break Who has seen similar perception issues? Who has different ones? What lessons have you learned about perception management?

19. Our Model

20. Our Model Notify, Solicit Input

21. Our Model LMS Chart of Influence The DELTA Advisory Council, the LMS Steering Committee and its subcommittees formally provide advice to DELTA management related to Learning Management System (LMS) implementation. Informal advice will also be sought through various communities of practice and partner organizations; examples listed below.

22. Our Model LMS Chart of Influence The DELTA Advisory Council, the LMS Steering Committee and its subcommittees formally provide advice to DELTA management related to Learning Management System (LMS) implementation. Informal advice will also be sought through various communities of practice and partner organizations; examples listed below. DELTA LMS Strategy Team

23. Discussion Break Anything in our model that would concern you? What does your model look like? What’s similar? What’s different?

24. Branding Names are important WolfWare feels like NCSU, NCSU is accustomed to it. We’re going to brand our LMS WolfWare

25. Branding WolfWare= Moodle Integrations In-house tools Syllabus Tool, course mailing lists, etc. Elluminate Etc. Pieces of the puzzle may change over time

26. Discussion Break Who is just going to call it “Moodle?” Do you have different branding? Is it just rebranding Moodle, or a suite of tools?

27. Challenges Buy-in on collaboration model Resources Time Money People Policies Finding the sweet spot between ease of use and full featured

28. Challenges Fighting the “Free” mindset From GNU.org Free software is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer.” With apologies to GNU.org, our mantra is: “Free Like Puppies, not like Beer”

29. Discussion Break Anyone share our challenges? Any other challenges? Anything we missed earlier? Anything we could drill down further into? Words of advice? Caution? The floor is now open...

30. Questions?

31. For more information see our wiki: http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/index.php/LMS_Strategy Or, contact one of us… Martin Dulberg Lou Harrison DELTA Senior Coordinator DELTA Associate Vice Provost for Educational Technology Services 919-513-3339 919-515-7279 marty_dulberg@ncsu.edulou@ncsu.edu