1. University of Wisconsin eLearning Systems Current State Common Solutions Group May 7, 2003
Dirk Herr-Hoyman
eLearning System Architect
University of Wisconsin-Madison

2. What is an eLearning System?
Yet another TLA like CMS and LMS
Framework, tools, and content
Similar technology to portals and other integrated apps like SIS, ERP
An “eWhatever” type of name for online services
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

3. University of Wisconsin-Madison
History at Wisconsin
Tradition of distance learning from Extension
Multiple systems on multiple campuses
Interest in a UW Systemwide Hosting Utility
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

4. University of Wisconsin-Madison
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

5. University of Wisconsin-Madison
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

6. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Key Questions for UW
Can we afford to support multiple courseware systems?
Is there one product or set of products that will meet the e-learning needs?
Where is the marketplace today?
What would we like it to go?
What is the cost of enterprise learning systems?
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

7. University of Wisconsin-Madison
eLearning System RFP
UW CIOs charged a Task Force with recommending a single product or set of integrated products
Year long process, Feb Feb 2003
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

8. RFP Architecture Vision
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

9. University of Wisconsin-Madison
RFP Process
RFI – 31 responses, RFP – 16 responses
Finalists: Bb, WebCT, Granada Learnwise, Desire2Learn
Online demos and demo accounts for finalists
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

10. Technology Profile of Finalists
Blackboard: Sticking with hybred
WebCT: Switching to J2EE
Granada: Switching to J2EE and open source
Desire2Learn: MS COM (pre-.NET)
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

11. Selection of Desire2Learn
Hiding under a rock until our RFP
Best functional, adequate technical
User experience design uber alles
Bb and WebCT were caught off guard
Spent time after 2001 working on functionality, not technology
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

12. Desire2Learn Implementation
Migration of all WebCT and Blackboard courses by June 04
Single hosting Utility at Madison
Integration with multiple campus systems
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison

13. Challenges of a young company
Risks
Largest customer
Growing staff quickly
MS technology
Too popular, many new sales
Shift to partnership
Opportunites
Responsive to our requirements
Build a good vendor relationship from beginning
Remove product branding (WebCT/Bb)
May 7, 2003
University of Wisconsin-Madison