Integrating LAMS using Blackboard Building Blocks and PowerLinks James Dalziel Managing Director, LAMS International Pty Ltd & Professor of Learning Technology and Director, Macquarie E-Learning Centre Of Excellence (MELCOE) Macquarie University Presentation for Blackboard World Asia Pacific Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 11 th September, 2007
Overview What is Learning Design? LAMS V2 –Example –Sharing Learning Designs: The LAMS Community –Upcoming features: Live Edit, Branching, Activity Planner LAMS V2 Integration with Blackboard systems –Building Blocks for Blackboard V7 –PowerLinks for CE 6 & Vista LAMS International Hosting & Tech Support packages for Blackboard Integration
What is Learning Design? Learning Design is a new approach to describing the teaching and learning process in a structured way Typically describes sequences of student activities (scaffolding of content + collaboration) –A sequence applies to a class/week/topic (not whole unit) Focus on sharing and re-using good sequences Often implemented online with technology –But becoming a general framework for face to face and online
What is Learning Design? Learning Design is particularly useful for pedagogical approaches that have a structured process, eg: –Problem Based Learning, Role Plays, Inquiry Based Learning Learning Design focuses on how academics structure activities to foster student learning Learning Design systems can integrate with LMSs –For students, link(s) from course area to the relevant sequence –Today’s presentation announces LAMS V2 integration using Building Blocks & PowerLinks integration + support packages
LAMS LAMS is the world’s leading software for Learning Design –1000s of educators across 80+ countries –V2 translated into 23 languages Visual “drag and drop” approach to designing activities –Helps educators to visualise teaching and learning processes LAMS Sequences can be shared, re-used and adapted –LAMS Community ( –Approximately 2500 members, 86 countries, 200 shared sequences downloaded 6000 times, 3000 discussion postings Freely available as open source software –Fee-based hosting and tech support from LAMS International
LAMS Example “What are the qualities of an effective teacher?” Step 1: Answer question, then reflect on others answers Step 2: Vote on a list of qualities, consider collated votes Step 3: Discuss responses to Steps 1 & 2 Step 4: Read an expert’s view on the topic Step 5: Discuss expert’s view compare to class view Step 6: Personal reflection (or essay if assessment) on initial question, based on initial views, class discussion & expert view Can be run face to face with no technology, or fully online, or a mix LAMS Example: Authoring this sequence, then Preview Learner view Example 2: Role play “Adopting Interactive Whiteboards in schools”
LAMS V2: Authoring view of “Qualities of an Effective Teacher”
LAMS V2: Adopting Interactive Whiteboards in schools – Role play
LAMS Community – View of various communities & forums
LAMS Community – Repository Summary
LAMS Community – Detailed view of individual sequence
LAMS – Upcoming Features “Live Edit” for running sequences –Now available in current release (LAMS V2.0.4) –Core functionality originally developed for “RAMS” (eResearch workflow system based on LAMS workflow core) – RAMS supported by SII funding under Backing Australia’s Ability Branching, conditionality, data in/out, advanced grouping –Available in LAMS V2.1 in late 2007; more in V2.2 in 2008 Activity Planner for LAMS (aka “Pedagogic Planner”) –Prototypes under development, initial release in early 2008
New Feature (from RAMS): Live Edit (starting with running sequence in Monitor)
New Feature: Open live sequence in special author mode (some locked)
New Feature: Can change sequence structure/tools for those not locked
New Feature: Live sequence is immediately updated for current users
Implementation of new Branching Features for LAMS V2.1
“Zoom In” editing of Branching activity in LAMS V2.1
Activity Planner (aka Pedagogic Planner) A new layer over the top of LAMS that provides good practice templates, advice on choosing and editing, and simplified authoring Flexible Learning Design Platform: Capable of many pedagogic approaches Good practice templates + Limited authoring “Full” Authoring
LAMS Activity Planner: Selecting a template
LAMS Activity Planner: Filling out the key content for a selected template
Integrating LAMS with Blackboard LAMS V2 integration with Blackboard V7 via Building Blocks and CE 6 & Vista via PowerLinks Core Features: –Single-sign-on for lecturers and students –LAMS as a new activity type within LMS for course authoring –Lecturers can open LAMS Authoring and Monitoring direct from course area –Lectures can select and launch LAMS sequences from within course area –Can use LMS features such as timed release and grouping with LAMS sequences
Integrating LAMS with Blackboard LAMS V2 and Blackboard V7 (Building Blocks) integration now available –Live Demonstration (& screenshots) LAMS V2 and CE 6 & Vista (PowerLinks) integration under development – due late 2007 –Screenshot mockups (final version may vary slightly) Many thanks to Macquarie University for funding to support PowerLinks integration
LAMS Building Block Integration: Lecturer View - Authoring
LAMS Building Block Integration: Learner View
LAMS Building Block Integration: Lecturer View - Monitoring
PowerLink Integration Screenshots
LAMS Powerlink Integration: Lecturer View - Authoring
LAMS Powerlink Integration: Learner View
LAMS Powerlink Integration: Lecturer View - Monitoring
Integration + LAMS Support LAMS International is pleased to announce new LAMS support packages for Blackboard integration - ready for start of 2008 Option 1: Bb or Powerlink Integration + LAMS Hosting –Hosted LAMS server + integration with BbV7, CE 6 or Vista Option 2: Bb or Powerlink Integration + Support for local LAMS server –Technical Support for local LAMS server setup and maintenance + integration with BbV7, CE 6 or Vista Starter package: AUD$4,950 (inc GST) for Australia Enterprise package: AUD$16,500 (inc GST) for Australia (For further support details and pricing for other countries, see )
Further LAMS Information LAMS International support packages for Blackboard integration Blackboard V7 + LAMS Integration Demonstration server Introduction to LAMS – walkthroughs, videos, case studies General demonstration accounts for LAMS General information about LAMS LAMS Community Qualities of an Effective Teacher – download sequence from seq//sequence?seq%5fid= seq//sequence?seq%5fid= Adoption of Interactive Whiteboards in schools Role Play – download sequence from Animated “mock-ups” for Pedagogic Planner concept Technical details about Blackboard Integration