Session 18

Value and Uses of Open Source Products in Support of Graduate Student Learning

Session Description:

The Centre for Distance Education has been using a variety of open source products for numerous years to develop and deliver its Master of Distance Education program. This session will begin with an overview of products we have used over the last ten years and then cover some of our more recent adoptions (eg. Moodle, Alfresco, ELGG). Rationales for the use of open source products will be presented, as well as issues related to technical support. Finally, the benefits and value of using open source products will be discussed, especially in light of the university adopting and supporting these products.

Presenters: Bob Spencer, Marguerite Koole-Ady

Bob Spencer is currently the Director of the Centre for Distance Education at Athabasca University which is responsible for the development and delivery of graduate credentials in Distance Education (certificate, diplomas, Master and EdD programs). He has worked at Athabasca University for 29 years beginning as a research associate, then as an instructional designer and currently as a professor and director in the Centre for Distance Education.

Marguerite Koole-Ady is the Program Administrator (Ed D) and Instructional Media Analyst for the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) at Athabasca University. Marguerite is currently involved with the implementation of a new learning management system (Moodle with mobile access), content management system, ePortfolio, and social software system for CDE. Marguerite has experience in teaching, instructional design and multimedia programming. She has designed interactive, online learning activities for various learning purposes and platforms—including print, web, and mobile devices.