The Next Generation Learning Platform Presented by Bob

: The “Next Generation” Learning Platform Presented by: Bob Tousignant, Sr Director, Higher Education, Schoology February 4, 2014

Agenda Schoology: moving from course management to student-centered learning 1. Is it time to invest in a next generation LMS at your institution? 2. What differentiates a next generation LMS from a v 1 LMS? 3. Moving from learning management to an Integrated Learning Platform (ILP)

Is it time to invest in a next generation LMS?

Evolving Student Needs & Expectations § The service expectations of existing and future students are rising rapidly. Teaching and learning are not immune from this phenomenon. § Not all students follow the same path to knowledge and insight. Individualized and personalized learning will be hallmarks of learning in the future. § The most innovative institutions often identify the LMS as crucial to differentiating themselves through service to students.

A bell curve distribution that may no longer be acceptable Typical faculty adoption of a v 1 LMS

“…It seemed like our LMS was written by four different teams of software writers who never spoke to each other. . . ” “…The LMS we use at my school is a very poor tool indeed for student-centered learning. It hammers away at my students, without promoting the kind of selfdirected, autonomous, interconnected learning that I think is of greatest value. ” Inside Higher Education, Blog U, Technology and Learning, April 28, 2011

“Is our goal to empower teachers or empower students? If students don’t like the LMS and faculty don’t embrace it, I’m not sure we are doing either. ” Dr. Alan Ingram, Deputy Commissioner, Massachusetts Dept of Education. Sept 13, 2013

What differentiates a next generation LMS from v 1 LMSs?

Utility vs Usability Definition: § Utility = whether the system provides the features you need. § Usability = how easy & pleasant the features are to use. Useful = usability + utility Usability is a quality attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use. The word "usability" also refers to methods for improving ease-of-use during the design process. Usability is defined by 5 quality components: Learnability: How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design? Efficiency: Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks? Memorability: When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency? Errors: How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors? Satisfaction: How pleasant is it to use the design? Jakob Nielson, Usability 101: Introduction to Usability

“… 1 st generation LMSs typically offer great utility but very poor usability…”

Critical Functionality LMS v 1 Next generation LMS Basic course management and learner collaboration tools. Native tools for course management and learner collaboration, including video and document viewers. Source: Ovum, “Making the right choice for your institution’s long-term online learning needs. Differentiating through an integrated learning platform”

Curriculum Management LMS v 1 Next generation LMS Course-level content collections Open learning repository with course materials and 3 rd party content Source: Ovum, “Making the right choice for your institution’s long-term online learning needs. Differentiating through an integrated learning platform”

Integration LMS v 1 Next generation LMS Closed Open ecosystem and APIs Source: Ovum, “Making the right choice for your institution’s long-term online learning needs. Differentiating through an integrated learning platform”

User Activity Monitoring LMS v 1 Next generation LMS Basic access and grade monitoring Real-time data visualizations showing attainment, course/content access, performance and participation. Source: Ovum, “Making the right choice for your institution’s long-term online learning needs. Differentiating through an integrated learning platform”

Personalized Teaching LMS v 1 Next generation LMS Pre-defined course structure and progression Instructors can customize content, look/feel, and visibility of course components Source: Ovum, “Making the right choice for your institution’s long-term online learning needs. Differentiating through an integrated learning platform”

Personalized Learning LMS v 1 Next generation LMS One-size-fits-all progression through a course Allows student choice and flexibility pathways enabling a unique experience based on individual student needs, learning styles, and preferences Source: Ovum, “Making the right choice for your institution’s long-term online learning needs. Differentiating through an integrated learning platform”

Mobile LMS v 1 Next generation LMS No mobile applications or mobile as an afterthought Designed for mobile with 3 rd party app integration

Extensibility LMS v 1 Next generation LMS No, or limited, API availability Open API with supporting partner network

Moving from learning management to an Integrated Learning Platform (ILP)

Option 1: Adopt the latest iteration of a legacy LMS Benefit: § § No “switching costs” Track record with vendor Risk: § § § Legacy architecture No real paradigm shift in teaching and learning Apathy continues from unengaged students and faculty

Option 2: Choose an “evolutionary” LMS Benefit: § § § Familiar and comfortable Aligns well to current usage patterns and expectations for online learning Appeals to the risk averse on campus Risk: § § § High probability of need to change LMS in the future Limited opportunity to differentiate through LMS Marginal gains in adoption and satisfaction

Option 3: Choose an Integrated Learning Platform Benefit: § § § Future-proofing your LMS for the long-term Flexible and agile Ability to differentiate teaching and learning via LMS Significant increase in student engagement and faculty adoption Powerful learning resource rather than just a required element of course completion Risk: § Revolutionary vs evolutionary approach won’t appeal to all campus constituents