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Blackboard or WordPress? Part II
Should universities ditch Blackboard in favor of WordPress (or other Web 2.0 tools)? In Part I, I argued against such a move. After watching the interview below I may have changed my mind. Well, not exactly, but I do believe faculty should consider a blended approach where they integrate real-world (still-living-after-the-term-is-over) tools with their university’s LMS.
In the video clip below, Jim Groom explains why he recommends the use of WordPress over Blackboard. From the interview, it is clear that he understands the important role an LMS plays. However, he doesn’t believe a vendor like Blackboard can keep up with constantly changing web. He definitely has a point. I often find myself reaching for tools like Wetpaint rather than using group features within Blackboard or even the LearningObjects wiki (a Bb Building Block). I do this because the tools are more robust and students can use the tools after the term ends.
LMS vendors would be wise to focus on better ways to integrate third party tools such as WordPress and Wetpaint.
Wikis and Wetpaint
About
David Wicks
Educational Technology
I have been active in the instructional technology world for over 20 years. My previous positions include: high school teacher, university lecturer, school district technology facilitator, multimedia author, and project manager for an educational technology company. My current position is Director of Instructional Technology at Seattle Pacific University. As Director, I regularly consults with faculty on effective uses of technology. I have been involved in the development of numerous online and blended courses. In addition, I have taught face-to-face, blended, and online courses in the School of Education for over ten years.
Recent projects include: developing a Web 2.0 electronic portfolio system based on WordPress, creating a feature-comparison matrix for lecture capture solutions, and leading SPU’s iTunes U project. I am an Associate Editor for MERLOT’s Teacher Education Editorial Board. I served as program chair for the 2013 International Symposium for Emerging Technologies in Online Learning, and will be the conference chair for the 2014 conference. Currently, I facilitate faculty learning communities on topics such as learning spaces, active learning, blended learning, and mobile learning.
