DePauw University used to have several instructors using Blackboard to supplement their courses. Now, they use Moodle, an open-source learning management system. This presentation I co-presented outlines how the decision was made to switch, showcases how the new system was implemented and highlights the lessons learned in change management. While this presentation was specific to a Moodle transition, the key takeaways could be valuable for any organization looking adopt new technologies. The slides embedded below were originally used during our presentation given at the Midwest Moodle Moot at Goshen College on July 21, 2009.
Moodle Transition
At DePauw, one of the first big projects I worked on was supporting faculty, staff and students as they transitioned from using Blackboard as their learning management system to using Moodle. This was a difficult process at first, but we were able to gain support from faculty and staff by listening to their needs and offering ideas for how Moodle could improve their teaching and student learning. We created a three tiered training approach:
- Set up pilot groups (later called user groups) with our early adopters.
- Invite successful early adopters to present their work to their peers.
- Offer open lab times for people to drop in and get help.
My role in this process was to facilitate the user group discussions and help coordinate the presentations for faculty members. I am committed to partnering with stakeholders to gather feedback to ensure the technologies I am recommending are going to have a positive impact for them.
Michael Gough
mbgough@gmail.com