Learning Management Systems Revisited...
I will admit that in the past couple of years I've begun to feel like a Learning Management System (LMS) is perhaps not what our school needs. There are so many wonderful free products that patched together, they really can do much of the same thing.
However, after my week of learning I am re-enthused about our school's use of Desire2Learn (D2L). When we initially went down the LMS road with this product about 8 years ago, we were looking for a "one stop shop", a virtual "shopping mall" of sorts that could bring consistency and reliability to our staff and users.
We are a K-Adult school serving fully online learners, learners using both paper based and online courses, and learners taking just one or two courses with our school while attending another school. Trying to bring all of those needs together into something that works, is needless to say...an art.
As much as I am somewhat cheap...and like a good deal...I have never felt "ripped off" with this product. We have experienced a high level of support when things go sideways and we have never had the feeling their staff are doing things "off the side of their desks". At the annual conference this week, Fusion, it was abundantly apparent that this is a company that walks the talk...and won't be stopping anytime soon.
Evidence??
Evidence??
- In every session I was in, the presenter noted ANY feedback about the product and feature requests users may have had. In my experience, D2L has always responded positively to requests and the input can often be seen in their version upgrades (ready for version 10 in a few weeks - whoot ;))
- Technology is integrated in meaningful ways. To go along with the conference, D2L created an awesome app containing all of the conference information (including a personal schedule that I checked 3 million times...no exaggeration).
- Opportunities to network and connect were EVERYWHERE. There were whole group activities such as the Padres-Astros game at Petco Stadium, and Sunset Cruise/Casino night, and Team competitions giving points for Tweets, photos of the day and other various activities. If you did not connect with anyone it was your choice!
- Thoroughly organized and totally focused on users' real time experiences (e.g. speakers set up with mics regardless of room size, laptops ready to go, food/drink=happiness, etc.).
- Focusing on the strengths different individuals bring to the table. This is an "All Kinds of Minds" kind of company in my opinion. They have "mined" the spark of individuals in their organization to help the company, and individuals within it to reach personal and company goals and it shows. Presentations were effective because they included both an individual coming at a concept from a pedagogical point of view and a technological point of view. It was a perfect combo for answering questions, making suggestions and supporting each other.
- Asking "How can we do it?" rather than "We can't do it." Everywhere I went, people were engaged in discussions around how to make things better. There was recognition that change is a given. There was no fear associated with change. It only solidified my feeling that this is a company focused on what is best for the user...not just for the provider. There was a feeling of flexibility and fluidity that I so often don't feel in other realms of education.
This is a company that begins with the end in mind and is steadily working toward a vision centred on learners, whether those learners are adults or children. CEO John Baker shared the vision of the company in his keynote, and the inspiring talk from Rafe Esquith only backed up that vision further with a focus on the learner and our role as educators.
As much as I loved my stay in beautiful San Diego, I am more than ready to get home and focus on how we can make the use of D2L the best it can be for our learners, families, and staff in the upcoming year.
(photos taken at FUSION) PS - Loved the stick on decals everywhere!
