3.1 Ruth sabean interview - part 1 - ucla selects open source

Introduction

This is the first part of two postings that together compose an interview with Ruth Sabean about UCLA’s selection of an open source common collaboration and learning environment. This Interview is the first installation of the Impact of Open Source Software on Education Series. We welcome and encourage commenting on the posts.

Recently UCLA selected Moodle as their common collaboration and learning environment (CCLE) and decided to remain engaged with the higher education community and the Sakai Foundation to pursue interoperability. I talked with Ruth Sabean who serves as the assistant vice provost for educational technology in UCLA’s College of Letters and Science and director of educational technology in the university’s Office of Information Technology , to learn more about their decision to go with Moodle.

Sabean is responsible for developing strategic educational technology plans and initiatives for UCLA that will improve the student educational experience through technology. From 1993–2002, she was the assistant director for educational technology in UCLA’s Office of Instructional Development, following positions directing and managing academic computing services at Cornell University and UCLA, and an early career in software development. She is an active member of EDUCAUSE , Seminars on Academic Computing (SAC), and the New Media Consortium (NMC). She has served on the boards of SAC, the NMC, and the EDUCAUSE Advisory Committee on Teaching&Learning. Sabean holds an M.S. degree in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh .

General background

Ken Udas (KU): Before we start the interview, I would like to get a better handle on how eLearning is positioned within UCLA. How much eLearning does UCLA engage in and is eLearning an important part of UCLA’s strategic planning?

Ruth Sabean (RS): That depends on how you define eLearning. I think of eLearning relatively broadly. For example, UCLA uses electronic tools throughout instruction, in a manner determined by the individual instructor of each course. The extent of eLearning varies from an enrichment strategy through to being a primary part of the course delivery. Two UCLA academic units provide online master’s degrees—an M.S.N. in Nursing Administration and an M.S. in Engineering. University Extension provides an extensive number of online courses in continuing education. But, like many campuses that offer primarily a residential experience, there is a lot of blending of technologies to enhance learning that is primarily classroom-based.