Web-Based Learning Technology @ NPC

The Office of Web-Based Learning Technology (part of NPC's Learning Services Division) assists faculty in the design and presentation of course content and resources, and also provides system administration for the college Learning Management System (Moodle); clarifying the role of technology within quality teaching and learning. WBLT can be contacted via email: ... webcont at npc dot edu ...

FAQ

So why bother with a W-BLT?
We sort of liked this answer. (original here)

CMS? LMS? VLE? Whaa?
" ... e-learning systems are sometimes also called Learning Management System (LMS), Course Management System (CMS), Learning Content Management System (LCMS), Managed Learning Environment (MLE), Learning Support System (LSS) or Learning Platform (LP); it is education via computer-mediated communication (CMC) or Online Education." All this courtesy of the Wikipedia page on VLE's (sorry).

What's this Moodle I keep hearing about?
Moodle is "a course management system (CMS) - a free, Open Source software package designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effective online learning communities." NPC has chosen Moodle as our CMS for online instruction.

Open source? Isn't freedom in software only for geek malcontents like you?
No. You care about it too, you just don't know it yet.

I thought we used WebCT? I thought we were going with Jenzabar? What happened to JICS?
We do use webCT (aka Blackboard), for now. But the old version we use is scheduled to lose support next year, and the new version is prohibitively expensive. As for Jenzabar/JICS, while the IS department assures us it is coming, many questions still exist.

Are you going to hunt down the online course I teach out of my webct/secret site/pickup truck and turn me into a Moodle zombie?
Probably not. The Coordinator for WBLT is in the helping business, not the exterminator business. If your online course is junk, then pressure may come to improve it, but not from this office. In fact, we'd like to assist you in making quality improvements and making them with a minimum of hassle and effort. But when you ask, and not before. I'm plenty busy as it is.

Well, alright then. How do I get started with this Moodling?
Drop an email to the address above. We'll need some basic information from you, but that's about it to get started.

I'd really rather figure this out on my own. Can I find out about becoming a Moodler without talking to you?
There are lots of great resources online for finding out more.

I don't need a whole course shell really. What else can this project do for me?
There are lots of interesting ways to make use of the new resources without investing a lot of time learning first.

I'm still skeptical. Can you help me some other way besides all this mood business?
Yes. The coordinator for WBLT has lots of skills, and can help you figure out anything from a basic discussion board to an entire class site. Just ask.

Coming soon...JICS whaaa?