In considering what LMS to utilize when designing a course and how best to facilitate a course, I will keep in mind what Eric pondered in his introduction, “How do I want the student’s to experience this course?” However, as a novice who has yet to teach online, I must equally focus on the recommendations of Ko & Ross on how best to “manage” an online course room so that it neither becomes a “nightmare” for me nor my students. So…my ultimate goal is to find the balance between the pedagogical goals and the LMS.

Based on what I learned from reading Lisa’s article, I should first focus on how pedagogical goals can be achieved and then consider what technology can support this. For nursing students, a pedagogical goal in all courses is the development of critical-thinking skills. The e-portfolio platform discussed in the article by Jennifer Demski is the type of technological advancement that would allow nursing faculty to assess the development of students to think critically as they progress through the program. Another pedagogical goal in a nursing course may be to promote interdisciplinary communication skills of students as future members of the healthcare team (nurses, doctors, dieticians, respiratory therapists, etc.). Open Class, the cloud-based software developed by Pearson, would allow for the coordination of interdisciplinary projects between campuses. Such projects would serve as the foundation for communication and collaboration between the healthcare disciplines.

Open class is free, open and flexible LMS that houses google apps and wordpress. It has been adopted by Central Piedmont Community College and West Virginia University at Parkersburg.