wk2 Activity True Cost of CMS/LMS

Image retrieved on July 17, 2010 from. http://thesteinbergprinciple.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/money_tree1.jpg

After reading, Measuring the Total Cost of e-Learning by Kevin Kruse, the cost and work that goes into LMS/CMS became surprisingly clear to me. What surprised me the most wasn’t the grotesque price rage of 500,000 to 1,500,000+ or how time consuming it is to implement, but rather all the hidden cost that normally people would not even work into the equation.

“Some hidden costs of instructor-led training include the costs of student transportation, meals, and room rental. Indirect costs associated with CD-ROM training include the duplication and distribution of CD's to the students. Costs associated with Web-based training include the purchase or maintenance of the server-computer that hosts the program.” (Kruse, 2004)

Many people tend to overlook things such as maintenance and training into final product cost. Protecting your investment is crucial for the success of it. Having knowledgeable people run and maintain these e-learning platforms is not cheap. Between this week’s videos and readings, my understanding of the cost and work that goes into FSO and all other CMS/LMS was completely awakened. I am thoroughly impressed with the fact that Full Sail, went through so much research and planning to create FSO.

Due to how thorough FSO is, I would not be surprised if by creating their own, e-learning platform that their bottom line cost turned out to be greater than if they would’ve just used one that was already developed. By developing their own, Full Sail ensured that they are addressing all of their needs as well as the students’. Because of how creative, innovative and motivated the Fail Sail staff is, this CMS/LMS is not only successful but it has found ways to deal with some of the downfalls of having such a system in place.

“Although CMSs let students take tests online, some lack the security measures to verify that students are really who they say they are…” (Carliner, 2005) Because of a close-knit staff as well as Global Profession Standard (GPS), Fail Sail is able to monitor students better. GPS addresses professionalism as well as accountability, and because of the close-knit staff, they are able to compared student’s work and resolve quality or identity issues they may have. Overall, most CMS/LMS are worth the cost but knowing what needs to be addressed in advanced can save time and money.

Sources:

Carliner, S. (2005). Course Management Systems Versus Learning Management Systems
Retrieved on July 17, 2010, http://web.archive.org/web/20070308145724/http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/nov2005/carliner.htm

Kruse, K. (2004). Measuring the Total Cost of e-Learning. Retrieved on July 17, 2010, http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art5_2.htm


Quinn Brown's Blog:

Is The Price Right?

E-learning is a very fresh and innovative enhancement that many schools are currently using or trying to develop. In our technology driven society more and more schools have been implementing LMS’s, CMS’s, and PLE’s. This post focuses mostly on the CMS. “Course management systems (CMSs) are online systems that were originally designed to support classroom learning in academic settings, such as universities and high schools” (Carliner, 2005). CMS’s have been used for some time. According to Carliner (2005), “As the market matures and software publishers add complex features (especially to appeal to the corporate market), prices for CMSs have risen sharply in recent years”. The cost is where the struggles begin.

According to Kruse (2004), “In order to generate an accurate and valuable cost analysis, you must take into consideration all of the direct costs of program development, as well as the indirect costs associated with delivery and maintenance”. The indirect costs consists of the minute details that are easily overlooked when a district or company considers purchasing or building an CMS. In order to receive the full benefit of a CMS, the staff, teachers, and students must be trained. Kruse (2004) states “some hidden costs of instructor-led, CD-ROM, or web-based training include the costs of student transportation, meals, room rental, duplication and distribution of CD’s, and maintenance of the server-computer that hosts the program”. These costs add up and make it virtually impossible to just purchase a CMS alone without the other factors necessary for it to succeed.

In the perfect world of e-learning every school would have their own CMS (course management systems). However due to the economic stress, schools districts have been cutting back in order to maintain. According to the Brandon Hall Research Group (2005), “On average it will take, 200,000 to 500,000 and about 18 months to build an LMS (learning management system) with moderate functionality”. Course management systems are similar to LMS’s so the price range is about the same. It is because of this reason that it is more likely for a school district to create or buy a CMS rather than an individual school. Brandon Hall Research Group (2005) also sates “ that what people seem to forget is that it also requires full-time staff. So, the cost may actually be higher”. Even though CMS’s are very costly, it would be a great asset for each school to have their own course management system. Every school is unique. What may work for a high school may not work for an elementary or charter school within the same district. Some small colleges face the same challenges. They are not able to afford course management systems either.

In conclusion, is the price right? If e-learning is supposed to enhance learning, then why is virtually impossible for the schools that need it the most to buy course management systems?

Comment on Quinn Brown's Page:

vote4pedro2ice
If the price is right, is correct! so many people forget that money is the lubricated friction of society. Many things that may appear to be simple get complicated because of money. And Many things that may appear to be difficult are made simple because of money. But regardless of the cost LMS/CMS are a necessary evil, which if we don't fully introduce and incorporate in today's school than we as teachers have failed to create productive members of society.

Thourn Heng's Blog:

The Beauty of LCMS

Learning Content Management System (LCMS) is a learning tool found by the military. Nichani (2001) states that “A LCMS combines the administrative and management dimensions of a traditional LMS with the content creation and personalized assembly dimensions of a CMS.” LCMS, if used properly, is a great tool to deliver and train people for specific skills within an organization. The system allows the administrator to piece together different types of learning regime for people who perform different skills. This is all possible because LMCS have building blocks called Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs). “In a LCMS, you would have libraries of RLOs that can be used either independently, or as a part of larger instruction sets.”

Moreover, the system retains and remembers each user’s profile. So, the system can recommend certain training for the users. Thus, the “learner is able to personalize his learning experience.” LCMS does this based on the RLOs that the user previously requested. In a sense, the system is keeping cookies like internet browser would.

The best feature about LCMS is that it provides just enough information for the learner. Think of it this way. When people go to a training seminar, they want to hear only a specific section, and the section is about 20 minutes long. But, because they are at a seminar, they must stay for the duration of the seminar. With the LCMS, the user does not need to stay for the entire seminar, they can just browse to whatever they need, get it, and go. Simply put, “organizations will have greater control over their instructional content, resulting in better customization of their learning programs.”

Thourn Heng's Comment:

Quick, fast and in a hurry, nicely put and well though out. LCMS are very clear and straight to the point. That is why they are so successful in military and corporate settings. Time is money and with the high cost of these Systems to be introduced and implemented, the content needs to be well thought out and introduced. Great Job Hommie hope that you enjoyed the fall in the water, oh wait waterfall. LOL.