Study Island is a Learning Management System (LMS) or perhaps more accurately based on size, content focus, and emphasis on alignment with state educational standards called a Learning Content Management system. Study Island provides hosting and training content for school systems and home users across the United States.
A semi-formal study released in 2008 showed Chicago area schools in the first year of using Study Island had greater improvement in meeting or exceeding standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) over fifth- and eighth-grade students within the state not using study Island (Magnolia Consulting, 2008). This particular study became a key endorsement for the sale and integration of Study Island within Illinois school districts, including my own. Should a single study, which when read thoroughly admits that other factors may have contributed to the outcome, be the sole foundation for selecting and implementing an LMS?
A condensed version of online strategist Godfrey Parkin’s (2005) selection process suggests the following steps:
1. Form a LMS selection team, representative of all user groups.
2. Define the operational process and learning objectives.
3. Create a list of critical elements and factors that must be met.
4. Discuss the plausibility and budget for options available for implementation and long term support for training, administration, and infrastructure.
5. Research and refine a list of potential LMS systems that are equipped to meet current and future needs.
6. Determine a framework for evaluating systems that are plausible and meet established needs and objectives.
7. Review demos, references, and solicit information from current users.
8. Conduct interviews with a short list of potential providers and vendors and negotiate contract.
An RFP is more than comparing prices. It could be compared to researching contractors for building or improving a home. The process should seek to determine which vendor is best suited to meet established needs and objects within budget and operating provisions, is well established and a successful performance history.
Along with the established current goals, future needs and services should be outlined and addressed. Due to the ever evolving nature of technology, it is important to establish a long term plan for sustainability and innovation.
References
Magnolia Consulting, LLC. (2008). Case study research of Study Island in Illinois. Retrieved from http://www.studyisland.com/salessheets/Case%20Study%20Summary%20State%20of%20Illinois.pdf
Parkin, G. (2005, April 30). The LMS selection process in a nutshell. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://parkinslot.blogspot.com/2005/04/lms-selection-process-in-nutshell.html
Nice post, I am interested in learning how your district has specifically used Study Island in the area of teaching Science content. I worked hard this year at changing administrator's views about technology integration and from reading your post; this data would help support the argument and possibly convince them that such integration would be beneficial for our district who's goal is to move more towards 21st Century technology-based learning. I know that cost would be a key determining factor, but it is a start! Thank You!
ReplyDeleteBilly, it is sometimes difficult to believe that the same results can be predicted through out the implementation of a Learning Management System such as Study Island. I had no idea the impact and importance Study Island was supposed to have on our students.
ReplyDeleteJoy Flack
@ Billy- You make a solid point of questioning one study's effect on purchasing power. Many administrators look at the data that is provided before purchasing new technology, which is great, but they need to also check other sources and do more research. I am interested in how well the LMS is doing for your district currently.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the question that you posed in regards to whether or not the results from a single study can be the determining factor when implementing and LMS. There are several factors which could have influenced the outcome of this particular study, SES being the primary one. I did go to the link that you provided for the Chicago study, and surprisingly the SES data for schools using Study Island is not available.
ReplyDeleteMy district used Study Island in the past, but had to drop it due to budget cuts. Unfortunately I was not able to use this tool to ascertain its effectiveness because it's use was delegated to more remedial type classes.
There are always multi-contributing factors when assessing the value of any new program. Using an LMS is not different. Education and learning never takes place in a completely sterile and isolated bubble. The study itself admits that there was other factors that contributed to the success of meeting standards. Both the LMS and standards should be seen and used a tools of improving engagement in the learning process. I believe that technology and standards, more often than not, move the focus away from the learner and learning toward a number based out some. We are too quick to join the band wagon of what is new as opposed to asking more question about what is an education child who seeks to be his or her own teacher in life and for life.
ReplyDeleteSustainability and innovation seem to be the fly in the soup when we deal with learning technologies. Organizations all want the most features and cutting edge technology available to their learners.
ReplyDeleteDesigners and vendors know this and design packages that seem to require upgrades on a more than regular basis. The prospect of "feature creep" then comes into play. Do we really need the upgrade for our organization to continue to use the system effectively? The choice of an LMS does not end with the initial choice- it continues throughout the life of the organization.
Michelle Johnson