1. Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Review Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services Upgrade or switch?

2. VLE review | why a review now? We need to upgrade our current version of Blackboard (Bb) We want to have newer functionality To look at the two main options on the market To support University’s new Strategic Plan Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services

3. VLE review | what we are evaluating Blackboard (Bb) version 9.1 and Moodle 2.0 Why just Bb and Moodle? The few other VLEs on the market are very minor players. Bb holds 55% of the market, Moodle 23% Blackboard is a commercial system, Moodle is open source freeware All VLEs have similar capabilities – but the way they look and how information is laid out is different Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services

4. VLE review | what are we evaluating? Review has two elements: Consultation with staff and students – requirements and preferences Other areas of investigation – technical issues, licensing, maintenance and development, costings etc A report will go to the Senior Managers in early June Planning on phased implementation 2011-2012 Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services

5. VLE review | systems demo and questions Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services Upgrade or switch?

6. VLE review | key similarities and differences Similarities: Secure environment Home page Course areas Hold a wide variety file types including media Have a variety of interactive tools including discussion board, blogs, wikis, Both have on screen editing/control panel Both can be configured by the institution in terms of look and feel Both have assessment e-submission capabilities Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services

7. VLE review | key similarities and differences Differences: Course structure - sub-folders in Bb, flat in Moodle Use different approaches for course announcements – Moodle uses a news forum for this. No course email in Moodle - again, messages need to be sent via forums. Bb has an official mobile app, Moodle currently in development. Moodle has extended profile functionality. Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services

8. VLE review | your views Learning & Teaching Enhancement Unit | Computing Services | Corporate Information Services Over to you – the PCs in this room are pointing to an online anonymous survey which we would be grateful if you could complete. Thank you for your views and time.

9. Take the anonymous online questionnaire to give us your views at: https://survey.canterbury.ac.uk/vlestudmay