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July 20, 2005

A Tale of Three Universities

This session discusses the WebCT vista experience for Perdue, university of Alberta, and Georgia University. It discusses their vista implemementations, how they got to where they are, issues they are currently having, where they are going, and words of wisdom for others intending to move to Vista.

I recommend you download the PowerPoints for this talk from the conference web site for full details. Here's some highlights.

Environment:

Most of these are large systems with at least twice the FTE as the U of S. Often with dozens of campuses. Their implementations include 10-15 servers, including application and database servers, failover servers, test servers, etc.

Issues and Challenges

  • Managing complex hardware/software configurations
  • Scheduling downtime and time for routine maintenance and application of patches. Simply rebooting ten servers could take a couple hours.
  • Primary help desk issues are client desktop and browser configurations. Are they using supported browsers, are they using popup blockers, etc. There are also expectations of 24x7 support.
  • Resource problems. They cannot implement all initiatives because staff are taken for other projects.
  • Integration with tools like clickers, etc. into WebCT gradebook. Turn-it-in, library systems, and o ther third party or home-built applications. There is a demand, but not staff to do this.
  • Finding time to support integration of ePaks and other user requested enhancements.

Future Initiatives


  • Updating to Vista 4

  • Continuing integration with third party systems, such as U Alberta integrating with Web-4M web conferencing tool, scantron integration, etc.

  • Development of service management processes including service level agreements, technology roadmaps, strategy to engage departmental support staff, incident management, change management, configuration management

  • Georgia developing an initiative to produce better stats. Not just "how many courses do we teach" but answer questions like how effective are those courses.

Words of Wisdom

  • Set expectations clearly for early adopters so they know there will be problems.
  • Resist temptation to over commit
  • Estimate resource needs and staff appropriately
  • Prepare an adequate marketing plan
  • Manage and schedule upgrades realistically
  • Establish clear application ownership and sponsorship
  • Understand support needs and communicate structures
  • Test, test test ...

Posted by kvl014 at July 20, 2005 06:46 PM