Navigate 3.1.2 Creation and Investigation into Courses Quest

Since I was using the Blackboard for the first time, it took a minute to figure it out. It is important to follow the steps for exhaustive set up . The steps were:

1. Sign up. I filled out the Sign up form and created an account

     2. Create a Course. Under this step there were three options: import a course package, create new course or to get a trial course. Even though I had no prior experience, I decided to create new course and it wasn't that difficult to do it.

     3. Invite Students. I had no students to invite at this time.

Here is the link to the homepage of the course I created.  Click here

Navigate 3.1.1 LMS Tool Categories Quest

The most relevant features of a LMS software are

Content.  In the LMS software application, you can upload your contents and organize them by chapters, modules, and topics. You can upload many types of files such as text files, images, multimedia, etc.

Dropbox. This folder is very important feature of LMS because it allows students to turn their work in online by uploading their files to designated folders. The Droobox has good features for due date flexibility. Instructors can monitor work submissions; they can grade them immediately and can provide feedback from inside the dropbox. Some LMS softwares are equipped with turnitin.com feature to check originality of student work.

Analyzing tools. These features are good tools for analytic reports and track student progress. This is also important for the students to see where they are themselves and what they need to do to improve their grades.

Navigate 2.1.4 Lecture Capture Quest

Lecture Capture. This is basically when students are able to watch a recorded lectures.  This method of delivery can sometimes be effective for teacher will be able to edit it before they share it with the students. A well edited lecture could be a better lecture than a live lecture.

Lecture Capture has many other advantages. Students will have access to the lecture at any time they want and can watch it as many times as the wish until they understand the material. They don't have to be a specific location to get the lecture. If a student is absent, he/she can easily catch up by watching the lecture. Teachers can also use Lecture Capture for certain lessons to free up some face-to-face time so that they can use the time for other activities.

Navigate 2.1.3 Commercial versus Open Virtual Classrooms Quest

An open source application take precedence over a commercial product in two occasions:

1. When you need the students to access the software outside the place of learning or school as long as they have internet connection.
2. when the cost for the commercial application program is too high to be afforded

Navigate 2.1.2 Recorded Session Quest

Since I have never used Adobe Connect before, it took me a minute to set it up. Otherwise it wasn't that hard to upload documents of various types and to do the recording. The link to the recording is given below.

https://meet17746461.adobeconnect.com/p1wt8u94u1x/

Navigate 2.1.1 Delivery Methods and the Synchronous Vendor Market Quest

There are several options in the vendor market for Synchronous learning. Depending on the budget and need of their personnel, the following are some of the vendors available in the market.

One of them is Adobe Connect. It is uses flash technology. The company charges fees after a 30-day trial. It has also mobile version of the application in iOs, Android and Blackberry operating systems. Another software is the Cissco WebEx. It uses java technology and it's free as long as there not more three (3) people are using it. It has mobile app version as well. The Blackboard Collaborate and the GoToMeeting applications, both uses java technology; offer 30-day free trial and have mobile app version of the applications.Google+ hangouts, which I use frequently for group project meetings, is a free synchronous application. The above softwares are all hosted softwares, but there are also open source software packages. However, these open source software packages will require a site-based IT person who can help in maintaining the software in working condition for continued use.

Navigate 1.3.1 Discussing the LMS and CMS Quest

The  differences between LMS and CMS is that the CMS is narrower in scope. It is basically the main function of an LMS. LMS is more robust than CMS. With CMS, you can create a course website and be able to upload documents without converting them to web format. It doesn't require too much skills and that is its strength. It also can be used for distance education because it has features such as discussion forums and assessment tools. You can communicate the class through announcements and you can also communicate students individually. It's shortcomings are it is less flexible when you design a course. It is inefficient in interactive e-learning and also inefficient in testing and tracking of student progress. You cannot verify the identity of the student who is taking the test. LMS on the other hand is efficient in course content delivery, student registration and administration, good for scheduling courses, testing and tracking overall progress. Generates reports, do skill gap analysis, and develop individual development plan and so on.


A full-blown LMS needed if

• the number of users are few
•  learning is delivered through hard copy medium
• if no tracking of performance is not needed