injenuity

Most learning institutions are faced with the challenge of attempting to select, purchase and implement an online learning platform that fits the needs of the learners and instructors while not blowing the budget or disrupting the technology infrastructure. For years, we’ve selected the platforms that meet the majority of our priorities. This decision and the policies that accompany implementation can exclude groups of instructors and learners for whom the platform just doesn’t fit. In the worst cases, institutions forbid faculty from adopting alternate solutions.

If we want to reach more students, we must be open to alternatives and supplements to the large, course management platform. Following are some quick suggestions to get conversation started

1. Use the large CMS as a portal. This way, students and faculty will have one place to start. If you market it as the distance learning portal, rather than the sole solution, instructors will be more likely to use it as part of their technology solution, rather than simply abandoning it for something that works better for their needs.
2. Some of the responsibility and ownership for security will fall in the hands of instructors and students. Let them lead the discussion as to how this will be handled.
3. Support for outside systems may not be handled by the institution. Provide easy access to the contact information for outside support.
4. Develop best practices procedures for using other tools. For example, create a template for instructors to use as a starting point for each course, outlining the tools that will be used and how to access them.
5. Take advantage of your early adopters. There are instructors who spend their free time researching these tools. Invite them to offer recommendations and spearhead faculty development around the tools they are most excited about.
6. Run pilot courses. Let instructors and students participate in pilots. It is much more practical to attempt something new when all participants are willing and enthusiastic.