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Thanks to this post, sakai vs. moodle: browser support by the Bates lms evaluation workgroup.
It appears that Mozilla Firefox is the browser that will work on Mac or Windows to provide complete functionality of Sakai or Moodle.
We have spent the last four weeks looking at Moodle, Desire2Learn, Angel, and Sakai to build a common understanding of the tools and experience to guide the rest of the process.
In the coming meetings the group will focus more on the process including...
* How to confirm faculty needs and use of LMS?
* How to involve faculty effectively in this learning and decision process?
* Discuss reactions to options to this point to determine if we are ready to limit the field or continue evaluating 4 packages. A subpoint of this discussion is what do we need to learn to narrow our field and of the narrowed field to make a decision?
Well there is a little time to think about this as the next meeting is January 3rd at 10:00am in Murray 120.
Today was spent looking at Sakai through two different sites http://sakaisandbox.com and http://www.academusopencampus.com/.
It was really helpful to see Sakai through two different sites as it gave the group a better understanding of what options are available for configuration. The discussion focused a fair amount on usability and completeness of tool sets.
The discussion was led by Linda Bills. Karen Stone and Alla Meleshevich of OET joined the discussion.
At the beginning of the process, we posted a draft timeline, but I noticed that I forgot to post the working timeline.
It is now available for download. It is a MS Word document.
Whitman College, in Walla Walla, Washington, is featured as this month's Sakai Spotligh. Whitman College, went live with Sakai in Fall 2005 and is currently reporting approximately 1/3 of the faculty teaching this semester integrated Sakai to their course. This translates to about 78% of the students are learning with Sakai.
[via Bates LMS]
Here are two different options to sign up for a test account on Sakai.
Academus OpenCampus http://www.academusopencampus.comrSmart Group http://www.sakaisandbox.com
We will be discussing Sakai on December 19th at 11:00am in Murray 116.
Today we discuss the Desire2Learn platform.
James Facilitated the discussion starting with the questions -
Which tool impressed you?Which tool was a cool idea but missed?
Please feel free to comment on your take of the meeting using comments.
The lawsuit Blackboard filed against Desire2Learn for patent infringement could be water under the bridge. Recently,
"The Software Freedom Law Center, an advocacy group for open-source software, asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this month to re-examine the patent(on behalf of Sakai, Moodle and ATutor). This is the first formal challenge against the patent's legitimacy filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office."
This according to a recent article by Dan Carnevale of the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Chronicle subscribers can read the full article - The Chronicle: Daily news: 12/01/2006 -- 01: Blackboard Patent on Classroom Software Faces Formal Challenge From Open-Source Advocates.
More information on the patent:
* from Desire2Learn's perspective - http://www.desire2learn.com/patentinfo/.
* from Blackboard's perspective - http://www.blackboard.com/patent/
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that a challenge has been filed to Blackboard's patent. If this succeeds, it should eliminate any fears about moving to D2L, Angel or even an open source product. While I've never been too concerned about Blackboard suing the open-source products, it's clear from this move that Sakai and Moodle have been concerned. Let's hope this all turns out the right way.
Blackboard Patent on Classroom Software Faces Formal Challenge From Open-Source Advocates