In spring 2016, MiraCosta College conducted a re-evaluation of its course management system (CMS). This site served as a key resource during the process; now it remains as documentation of how the decision was made. You may also view/download a 6-page document describing the selection of Canvas and recommendations for a 2-year transition period from Blackboard and Moodle to Canvas.
Spring 2016 CMS Evaluation Timeline
- January: Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas conduct one-hour in-person presentations/demonstrations during Flex week (see below for recordings)
- February: CMS Evaluation taskforce begins the process, dividing into subcommittees: Decision Analysis, Input Gathering, and Public Relations. (see below for details)
- March: Intensive gathering of feedback from stakeholders including faculty, students, and IT staff (see below for details)
- late March/early April: Analysis of feedback and final recommendation from taskforce
- April 8: Academic Affairs Committee acts on taskforce recommendation
- April-May: Governance Councils act on recommendation
- May: College Council takes final action on recommendation
Videos of Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas demonstrations
Introduction to January 2016 demonstration day by Jim Julius (about 25 minutes). You may also view the slides.
[youtube https://youtu.be/bB6coFrx0yE&w=320&h=240&align=none&rel=0&showinfo=0 ]
Vendor presentation/demos – each about an hour:
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Wrap-up questions and discussion (about 23 minutes):
[youtube https://youtu.be/xoFYJiLPnQQ?t=1h7m11s&w=320&h=240&align=none&rel=0&showinfo=0 ]
March 2016 Hands-On Feedback Opportunities
All faculty, staff, and students were invited to try out Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas in OC 1201 (library computer classroom) on Tuesday, March 15, 12-4 pm and Friday, March 18, 12-3 pm.
Participants who test drove the systems were asked to complete a survey on their thoughts and preferences. Their feedback was invaluable in helping the Course Management System Evaluation Task Force reach its recommendation. No appointment was needed. Participants dropped in when they had time to give each system a good look and provide feedback. Flex credit was available for faculty.
All faculty, staff, and students were also able to to try out the systems and provide feedback on their own without coming to the lab.
The feedback may be viewed:
- Faculty CMS survey results (Canvas rated superior on all 9 criteria; survey also includes faculty feedback about workload concerns with the transition)
- Student CMS survey results (Canvas rated superior on all 10 criteria)
Trying out Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas
In addition to the structured hands-on opportunities described above, faculty could further explore each system in more of a “sandbox” environment:
- Blackboard: Those who wanted to try the next-generation Blackboard “Ultra” system demonstrated in the video above were able to request access.
- Moodle: Those who wanted to try MiraCosta’s Moodle system were able to request access.
- Canvas: All MiraCosta faculty had access to MiraCosta’s OEI Canvas system for the purpose of trying out Canvas (not teaching live classes).
CMS Evaluation Taskforce and Subcommittees
The taskforce’s charge: Develop a recommendation regarding course management system selection to meet MiraCosta’s strategic online learning needs for the next five years.
The taskforce was made up of full- and part-time faculty, classified, student, and administrative representatives. Each taskforce member was also a member of either the Decision Analysis (DA), Input Gathering (IG), or Public Relations (PR) subcommittee.
- Faculty: Sam Arenivar (DA), Adrean Askerneese (PR), Joanne Carrubba (DA), Mike Deschamps (PR), Billy Gunn (IG), Julie Harland (IG), Jeff Ihara (DA), Jim Julius (PR), Robert Kelley (DA), Richard Ma (IG), Angela Senigaglia (PR)
- Classified: Robert Erichsen (IG), Karen Korstad (PR), Charlie Medina (IG), Steve Schultz (DA)
- Administrator: Mike Fino (DA), Mario Valente (DA)
- Student: Perla Davis (IG), Omar Jimenez (DA), Margo Newkirk (PR)
Taskforce and Subcommittee Leadership: Jim Julius was selected as the Taskforce chair at its initial meeting on 2/1/16. Mike Fino chaired the DA subcommittee with support from Sam Arenivar as the DA facilitator. Billy Gunn chaired the IG subcommittee. Mike Deschamps and Karen Korstad co-chaired the PR subcommittee.
The final decision was arrived at through the task force’s use of the Decision Analysis methodology. You may view the CMS DA final ratings, which show that Canvas was rated superior on 62 out of the 71 separate criteria identified.
Press Releases
- Course Management System under Review – 3/4/2016
- Course Management Systems Evaluation Update – 3/11/2016
FAQs and Further Information
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