Week #5: D2L v. Canvas

References:

• Pros: D2L website provides a list of institutions that are using D2L. This allows communal development surrounding the LMS.

• Cons: Many of the institutions using D2L are geographically distant from Wright State.

Current Customer Perceptions:

• Pros: D2L offers a high level of customization . According to industry experts this allows every institution to adapt the LMS to their specific needs.

• Cons: The high level of customization can lead to inconsistency from one course to the next, causing confusion for students. Industry experts have also indicated that D2L has a deficit of means to engage students in student-to-student interaction.

Reliability of System:

• Pros: If cloud-based, rather than on premise, D2L updates to correct any errors and provides reports for their end user to explain the cause of dysfunction. 

• Cons: Originally and on premise LMS, the transition to the cloud-based platform has been trying for many institutions. There is also a loss of control with cloud-based D2L according to industry experts.

Company Follow-Up:

• Pros: D2L provides reports to end users whenever there is downtime.

• Cons: Industry experts suggest that D2L is not always the most communicative when in need of individualized assistance.

Training Materials:

• Pros: There are some archived resources available through D2L. Institutions using D2L can also communicate with each other.

• Cons: Upon review, archived resources seem outdated and limited in their scope of use.

Training Sessions:

• Pros: Industry experts explained that, while D2L does offer training services at a cost, most institutions utilize their own staff/faculty to provide training.

• Cons: None. Service is available when desired.

Cost of Training:

• Pros: With the number of free educational materials and utilizing staff and faculty, there is no cost for training. 

• Cons: None.

Online Help:

• Pros: D2L has a "Brightspace Tutorials" YouTube channel that offers hundreds of free video tutorials. 

• Cons: None. There are videos for most any scenario.

Migration from Existing LMS to New LMS:

• Pros: Industry experts expressed that the process to transition from on premise to cloud-based is long and hard.

• Cons: Industry experts also expressed that the support offered by D2L during this process was lacking.

Integration with Third Party Products:

• Pros: D2L can be integrated with a wide variety of third party products, such as Turnitin.com. 

• Cons: There are some desirable products, such as Ally, that are not yet available on D2L LMS.

Integration with Student Information System:

• Pros: D2L can be integrated.

• Cons: Industry experts revealed that the process of integration is challenging because there is relatively little documentation available for this process. Formatting is also inconsistent.

Support for Issues/Downtime:

• Pros: At an added cost, an institution can have a Technical Account Manager that acts as an advocate for the institutions interests. Industry experts communicated that notification and updates are provided quickly for system issues causing downtime.

• Cons: All of the above comes at an added cost.

Support to Train Administrators:

• Pros: Support is available in a variety of formats.

• Cons: Individual administrators cannot directly reach out to D2L.

Cost to Train Administrators:

• Pros: Free training is available online. 

• Cons: In person training is available at a cost.

LMS Cost: 

• Pros: Pricing is negotiable.

• Cons: There are always costs that are not reflected in the estimate.

Training Cost:

• Pros: Training can be included as part of the package, though at an additional cost.

• Cons: In person training is available at an additional cost.

Integration Costs:

• Pros: Costs are negotiable.

• Negatives: There may be additional costs.

Other Costs: 

• Pros: Costs are negotiable.

• Negatives: There are always additional, unanticipated costs.

References:

• Pros: D2L website provides a list of references for all functions

• Cons: The guide shows tips before function references

Current Customer Perceptions:

• Pros: Highly customizable

• Cons: Not great at spurring interaction between students

Reliability of System:

• Pros: In cloud-based system, updates are automatic

• Cons: Experts say there is less control in cloud-based system

Company Follow-Up:

• Pros:  Reports  provided to end users 

• Cons: Not always the most communicative when individuals are seeking help

Training Materials:

• Pros: Guides and videos are available for all functionality

• Cons: Resources are somewhat outdated

Training Sessions:

• Pros: Service offered for a price, but most institutions have trainers

• Cons: N/a

Cost of Training:

• Pros: Can be avoided using free educational material and institution's  faculty 

• Cons: N/a

Online Help:

• Pros: YouTube offers tons of video tutorials 

• Cons: N/a

Migration from Existing LMS to New LMS:

• Pros: N/a

• Cons: Unavoidably difficult, industry standard 

Integration with Third Party Products:

• Pros: Works with numerous third party apps

• Cons: A few universally liked apps are not available yet

Integration with Student Information System:

• Pros: Can be integrated.

• Cons: Process is difficult and there are few resources for help

Support for Issues/Downtime:

• Pros: System issues causing downtime are quickly addressed  

• Cons: All of the above comes at an added cost.

Support to Train Administrators:

• Pros: Support is available in a variety of formats.

• Cons: Individual administrators cannot directly reach out to D2L.

Cost to Train Administrators:

• Pros: Free training is available online. 

• Cons: In person training is available at a cost.

LMS Cost: 

• Pros: Pricing is negotiable.

• Cons: There are always costs that are not reflected in the estimate.

Training Cost:

• Pros: Training can be included as part of the package, though at an additional cost.

• Cons: In person training is available at an additional cost.

Integration Costs:

• Pros: Costs are negotiable.

• Negatives: There may be additional costs.

Other Costs: 

• Pros: Costs are negotiable.

• Negatives: There are always additional, unanticipated costs.