Alligator Wrestling
(a.k.a. deploying / configuring servers)
Embedded Files
Normally, it takes an entire IT department or dedicated staff member to setup, configure, maintain, upgrade, update, and deploy a server to help run a Learning Management System--in 2012 out of desperation I attended the fantastic nxtGEN summer workshops offered by the Illinois Institute of Technology's School of Applied Technology for high school(!) students, which I had announced to my students and realized I needed to go! That begin a serendipitous journey where I formed a friendship and partnership with Professor Jeremy Hajek, Professor Louis McHugh, and a few other great staff members where we have offered now nxtGEN workshops for teachers in CPS and across Chicagoland, and we also run 3 production pilot Moodle servers at www.ActiveLearning.info , www.LearningCentral.info , and www.PhysicsCentral.info serving teachers not only here in the Midwest, but also out in Colorado and Massachusetts as well !
Deploying a new server can feel like wrestling with an alligator at times--sometimes you get bitten bad, but sometimes you come out on top! Ultimately, having our own pilot production servers has enabled rapid prototyping and agile development in a unique R&D situation--normally, changes in a system would be implemented at a much slower pace, but since we have a tight feedback loop between teachers, developers, and the systems administrator, we are able to quickly change configuration systems, deploy new plugins, and constantly improve our platform! :)
LAMP Stack vs. LEMP Stack: More alligator wrestling!
Come visit to find out more!
Report abuse