A Learning Management System to Support Face-to-Face Teaching Using the Microsoft Office System
Abstract: A low-cost, effective learning management system to support face-to-face teaching using standard Microsoft Office System software is described. This paper goes on to discuss the implementation, hosting, content creation and usage issues encountered during an 8-month trial that covered two full teaching semesters at Bond University. Bond University, based on the Gold Coast, is Australia’s first private university and specializes in small-class and face-to-face education. The learning management system called the SharePoint Alliance (SPA) was used to support this quality teaching and learning environment. We comment upon the effectiveness of SPA and how far it was able to support the needs of a learning management system by simply extending the standard information management software environment of a university.