Move to ANGELLearning Hosted by WashingtonOnline (WAOL)

Why are we moving away from Blackboard as our course management system (CMS) to WAOL/ANGEL?

  1. To align ourselves with the statewide Strategic Technology Plan:
  1. To decrease costs during a time of shrinking budgets

Current CMS Usage Rates
eLearning Technology Costs using Blackboard / WAOL ANGEL Technology Costs*
$125,000 for Blackboard Learning Management System / 4558 active users x $4 x 3.5 quarters = $63,812
$5,103 LearningObjects (wikis, blog, podcasts added into Blackboard software) / $0 (blogs & wikis integrated into ANGEL software for free)
Total: $130,103 / Total: $63,812
Cost savings: $66,291 (over 50% savings)

*Based on new WAOL ANGEL technology cost model of $4 per user per quarter, active in one or more ANGEL courses, ePortfolios and/or collaboration spaces. Old WAOL technology cost model was $8 / credit / student / quarter.

  1. To take advantage of additional benefits and services from WAOL/ANGEL
  • Wikis and blogs are built into ANGEL software
  • ePortfolio is built into ANGEL
  • Learning Object Repository (similar to Bb’s content system that we currently do not purchase)
  • Elluminate (synchronous videoconferencing software) will be integrated into ANGEL
  • 24 / 7 ANGEL and Elluminate technical helpdesk for faculty, students, and staff. Continued 8 am – 5 pm SCC eLearning Helpdesk.
  • Media server for large files (Amazon S3 service)
  • Only SCC students in classes (for private WAOL / ANGEL courses)
  • SCC start / stop dates (for private WAOL / ANGEL courses)
  • WAOL ANGEL faculty training and resources; colleges shared ANGEL training and resources
  1. Above all, to get a great teaching and learning tool!
  2. ANGEL was chosen by the statewide Course Management System Review Advisory Committee after a thorough 2 year research and evaluation process with feedback from all stakeholders:

(over)

When are we moving to WAOL/ANGEL Learning?

Phase 1, spring 2009:

  • Small group of faculty, who already know ANGEL, volunteer to teach using WAOL/ANGEL
  • ANGEL training offered to the rest of the faculty

Phase 2, summer 2009:

  • Increased number of faculty volunteer to teach using WAOL/ANGEL (those who have taken training)
  • ANGEL faculty training continues to be offered

Phase 3, fall 2009:

  • Goal is to have at least 50% of faculty teaching using WAOL/ANGEL
  • ANGEL faculty training continues to be offered

Phase 4, winter 2010:

  • All SCC faculty and students are on WAOL/ANGEL
  • SCC’s Blackboard contract expires Dec. 31, 2009

Questions or comments?

Please contact Ann Garnsey-Harter, Director of eLearning, , 206-546-5879.

Presented to: Opcom 3/2/09; Bus/IAS/Soc Sci Division 3/2/09.

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