Learning Management EValuation
Week #5- the assignment required continued evaluation of the Desire2Learn (D2L) Learning Management System and that of another system, which I have selected Coursesites by Blackboard. Each site was to be reviewed using the following categories: CREATE A NEW CUSTOMIZED COURSE HOMEPAGE, CREATE "START HERE" INFORMATION IN CONTENT, ADD "GETTING STARTED" LINK TO INFORMATION IN NEWS WIDGET, CREATE NEW WIDGET WITH CONTACT INFORMATION AND PHOTO and POST AUDIO AND/OR VIDEO WELCOME MESSAGE IN NEWS TOOL.
LMS d2l review- strengths
This week we continue to see the ease and flexibility of D2L. Creating and adding news items make this a very proficient way to work for the designer in an organizer manner. You can go in add and copy so that students have multiple locations to view materials. I think it is important to reflect that all of us have different learning styles and I believe this provides students with the opportunity to receive the same information in a variety of ways.
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LMS d2l Review- weaknesses
This week I did run into a problem while trying to add my audio recording. I attempted using Firefox which is my go to browser, then Safari. Neither would allow me to set up the Flash settings. Basically my computer froze and I had to shut down and restart. Finally I tried using the Chrome browser and was able to complete the steps necessary to add my recording. While I was recording I also had some issues with feedback from using Snagit/Camtasia while trying to record my steps.
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LMS bb review- strengths
One thing to remember is that some items can work the same or similar ways but have a different name. Blackboard is rich and gives you several tools to use for no cost. Instead of NEWS from D2L we have ANNOUNCEMENTS. Working in much the same way as D2L items go to the bottom of the list but can be moved to the order of the designers choosing. The video to the right shows what it would look like in the student view and how easily they can assess the information required.
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LMS BB review- weaknesses
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Creating an About the Instructor or Instructor Contact Information area required me to be a bit more creative. Although there are a variety of widget type items and the availability to add some personal information it did not appear to me to be easily accessible to the students in the course. I went back to my Announcement area and developed information in there and set it with no date limitations or timeline. |
There is no way to adjust or change the way it is viewed. While either weak or strong depending on your viewpoint- Blackboard by it's design is consistent. If a user goes from one course to another or a different institution, it may allow minor changes but if you used it before you will be aware of how it works.
LMS comparison & evaluation
This week my major challenge was getting the D2L to record the audio welcome. I had seen this Flash feature before so I was aware of it. If you look at the recordings both have issues with sound but that is the result of trying to capture video. I am not sure if anyone else noticed but at the top of your browser a bar will pop up and say allow/deny. I did hit allow but I am not sure it reacted correctly so then I was never able to use Flash with Firefox. Even with this struggle I like the customization options offered in D2L. There is little or no way I could find to make those adjustments in Blackboard. Although D2L only allows minimal customization I believe depending on subject and designer this is a more desirable product.