Help! I Need Somebody: Faculty Perspectives on Transitioning from WebCT to a Sakai-based Learning Management System

Abstract

This paper describes a qualitative study investigating the change process and impacts of technology introduction on faculty. At the time of this study, the University of Hawaii (UH) was transitioning from a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS), WebCT, to Laulima, its Sakai-based, open source LMS. UH faculty were asked via open-ended interview questions to reflect on their previous approaches to technological change and their expectations of the new LMS. Results found that participants felt resistance to change, but generally expected increased personal productivity and a richer student experience. Institutional support was reported as key to previous and predicted success. Implications for faculty and administrators are discussed.