In many circles, distance learning is seen as an alternative to classroom instruction. Distance learning certainly addresses some of the limitations of classroom instruction, particularly the barriers of "at this time and in this place." Distance learning can eliminate one or both, but not without its own costs.

In this article we will look at an ongoing effort at The University of Michigan-Flint to use distance learning to augment classroom instruction, and vice versa, in a room it calls the Cyber Classroom. Using video, audio, and lecture capture technology, presentations given in that room are automatically turned into recorded distance learning programs and are made available to all of the students on a multimedia website.

We'll see that students' situations and learning styles vary and that having both classroom instruction and distance learning resources available to all students enrolled in a course improves their understanding 
of the course material. This is demonstrated by the students' final grades.

Read the results of the case study here

Survey: 98% Enterprise Respondents Use Open Source Software

Zenoss has released the 2010 Open Source Systems Management Survey results. According to the company's news release, the survey was based on more than 950 completed surveys gathered at the USENIX Large Installation System Administration conference and within the Zenoss open source systems management community. Noted in the survey highlights is that 98 percent of the survey respondents indicated usage of open source software and systems in their enterprises.

"Additional key findings in the 2010 Open Source Systems Management Survey include: 
- 98% of the survey respondents indicated usage of open source in their enterprises. 
- 71% of 2009 respondents indicated that open source software was easier to deploy up from 48% in 2008, 38% in 2007 and 26% in 2006. 
- 76% of system administrators in large enterprises indicate they prefer to use open source whenever possible.

"When asked their degree of satisfaction with open source software on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 indicating most satisfied) users indicated an average level of satisfaction between 7 and 8."

Read the Full Story at Zenoss.com

From College News

Technology a factor in choosing schools, students say

A new study suggests that technology is becoming a even larger part of the college experience for a lot of students

Janelle Vreeland

Just how important is technology to college students? A new study suggests that it is important enough to strongly influence prospective students’ college selection process.

CDW Government LLC—a corporation aiding educators and the government in IT solutions—has released the results of its 21st-Century Campus Report for 2010, and found that, for 63 percent of current college students, technology was an important factor in making their college selection. It also found that it was an important factor for a whopping 93 percent of current high school students.

Students also emphasized the importance of wireless networks, off-campus network connections and course management systems in the report.

Read more HERE

Five Emerging LMSs to Watch

From Brandon Hall Research

New learning management systems arrive on the scene almost daily. These technologies include both key functionalities and features you expect to find as well as additional capabilities that, in some cases, go above and beyond those found in some of the best-known pre-existing systems.

(Click) Here are five up-and-coming LMS providers to watch.

The Usability gurus at the Nielsen Norman Group have just released their first reseach finding on the usability of iPad apps and websites accessed on the iPad.

Check it out here...