Pilot+FAQs

= Desire2Learn Frequently Asked Questions =

What is Desire2Learn?
Commonly called "D2L," Desire2Learn is a suite of technologies that includes a learning management system (LMS). We will replace our current WebCT LMS with D2L. Institutions using D2L include The Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin System, University of Akron, University of Oklahoma, and many more. [|View a video demonstration of D2L]

What is the schedule for rolling out D2L?

 * Fall Quarter 2010: We will begin offering Desire2Learn workshops. Faculty will be able to migrate content from WebCT to D2L at that time.
 * Winter Quarter 2011: Desire2Learn officially opens for use in classes. But WebCT will continue to be active.
 * Spring Quarter 2011: Desire2Learn becomes the primary course management system. WebCT will close to students, but faculty will still be able to access WebCT to retrieve content.

How can I get started learning D2L?
Sign up for [|Center for Teaching and Learning workshops] beginning fall quarter, 2010.

Will my WebCT course transfer to D2L?
Yes. Our goal is to use course conversion tools to automatically transfer WebCT courses to D2L and keep them as intact as possible. The D2L company tells us that the move will be quick and painless.

Of course, D2L works a little differently and has different features. Since not all the tools are the same in WebCT and D2L, we anticipate that each person will have some clean up to do after the transfer. You will also do things a little differently in D2L. We are confident you will feel that D2L is a significant improvement.

Will the content in my WebCT course work in D2L?
Yes. Since D2L is a newer product, it has almost all of the tools that WebCT had and a few new ones. We will probably run across some small things that won't make the migration, but contact us if this happens and we will work with you to come up with an alternative. Chances are it will just need to be tweaked a little for the new environment.

Does Respondus, Elluminate and LecShare still work with D2L?
Yes. These will work much the same with D2L as with WebCT.

What will be the technical requirements for using D2L?
All you'll need is a web browser that's fairly up to date.

Will D2L integrate with Banner?
Yes. As with WebCT now, Banner will create courses and add students. Also, you will be able to submit grades from D2L to Banner.

Must new faculty learn WebCT now, then learn D2L in a few months?
Desire2Learn training for new faculty will be offered August 31 as part of the [|New Faculty Fall Retreat].

Is there documentation I can begin reading to get a jump start on learning D2L?
We hope to soon have some getting-started documents for the latest version of D2L.

What about my developing classes?
Developing classes will be moved to D2L along with all the other classes.

Who Chose Desire2Learn and why?
A multi-disciplinary committee of faculty from a variety of academic departments plus staff from CaTS, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and University Libraries spent several months researching and trying out the top two course management systems, Blackboard and Desire2Learn. The committee unanimously chose Desire2Learn.

Who do I talk to is I have further questions about Desire2Learn?
Email us: distancelearning@wright.edu

How will Desire2Learn be different from WebCT?
<<< Perhaps a short summary with a link to a D2L document for more in-depth info? >>>

Why did you choose Desire2Learn instead of Blackboard or Moodle?
<<< Blackboard is evil (and support sucks) and Moodle is ugly... well, no, that's probably not what we want to say. But what? Perhaps it would be best to list D2L's advantages rather than complain about other platforms' shortcomings? >>> I think we do need to highlight the advantages of D2L but say a few major failings of the other 2 might not be bad. Um.....no crosslisting anyone? Support issues leading to down times........

Terri's...
Student Help/Training

Navigation between two systems (students and faculty) Groups/Organizations

Access from labs on campus

Turn it In Integration with Elluminate Faculty champions

I think I did this wrong, I went to the text above and started editing (perhaps I should not have done this). I think we should be cautious about making claims about guaranteeing perfect transfer. I think we should say we think it should be good, but anticipate a little clean up. That way if it comes through clean, they will be happy. - -What about quizzes, do they transfer -Can I archive my old courses -
 * Sheri's**

Chucks's

Will my students be put in at the same time. What about courses that are really old like 3 years ago, will I be able to migrate those into D2L? Will there be a standard template for all courses created for each quarter?