fastlane

Any advice before I start?

I came across this in the NAACE newsletter this week. Thought I would share.... You CAN use Moodle BUT....... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Moodle Muddle - a message from DfES DfES colleague Colin Hurd writes: "The Moodle Muddle It's been suggested by some that the DfES is against Moodle. This is most definitely not the case. Let's start with the big picture. UK Government studies have previously suggested that the use of open source software (OSS) within the UK public sector can provide a viable and credible alternative to propriety software and lead to significant cost savings. The Cabinet Office eGovernment Unit took the lead on OSS from October 2004. Further information can be found on its website at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/policy_guidance/index.asp . In particular you will find the policy for OSS available in a pdf document. Key points are that the: UK government will consider OSS solutions alongside proprietary ones in IT procurements. Contracts will be awarded on value for money basis UK government will only use products for interoperability that support open standards and specifications in all future IT developments So Moodle is fine provided that it's the right and value for money solution taking into account the total cost of ownership (TCO) e.g. the software might be free but support isn't. You can find out more about TCO and OSS in schools on Becta's website at http://schools.becta.org.uk. DfES recognises that there is a strong following for OSS and for Moodle in particular, supported in its development by both the Open University and the University of Lancaster. But there is an issue around the development of the learning platforms framework agreement, due to be announced by Becta in early January 2007, and OSS. Since OSS products do not originate from an industry supplier's product they are unlikely to be included on the framework. The framework agreement covers a set of quality assured functions including, for example, training and reliable first-line telephone support that conform to agreed functional and technical specifications and standards. Together these create a full service that will enable coherence across education, allowing mobility of learners and their data, as well as a stable and consistent arena for content developers and providers. Part of Becta's role is to assess suppliers and monitor their performance throughout the period of the agreement. DfES supports fully Becta's framework strategy because schools must have a mechanism that enables them to install learning platforms that can exchange information and provide a robust, reliable and cost effective service. Without these schools will not get the full benefits. One key aim is to reduce the technical burden on schools. Schools' self-development of any OSS product has a cost (not least time and effort) and is not, contrary to popular belief, free. The framework agreement will support interoperability and economies of scale through aggregation as provision will ideally be contracted as a fully supported (one-stop-shop) service to schools from local authority or regional broadband consortium providers. This does not preclude other collaborative groupings provided they serve strategic needs and deliver best value for money solutions. OSS products are unlikely to be included on the framework proper. But if they meet the functional and technical specifications requirements and are selected as the tool of delivery by any fully supported service provider, then a school is free to choose an OSS, including Moodle-based, service." Colin Hurd DfES Head of Strategic Technologies 27 July 2006 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Teachers can create their own SCORM resources with this. eXe (eLearning XHTML Editor Project) From Eduforge: eXe (eLearning XHTML Editor Project) (But probably not in my lifetime)