Ran across this article and it makes some great points about the distributed content creation model for school Websites and the potential headaches that go along with it. But what I found even more interesting was the premise that the way to give teachers the power to create and post content on the site is to use a course management package like Blackboard or webCT. Now I know that CMS give you a lot more bang in general, but it costs a lot more buck. I think I heard somewhere that the full install of Blackboard can run upwards of $50,000. And correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you have to shell out some money for a staff person to run the thing, too? I’m not knocking what Blackboard or webCT can do…it’s great. But I can’t imagine a school disctrict looking to be able to create a web presence for their teachers and students not picking a powerful, $299 a year, content management capable system like Manila every day of the week…if only they knew it was out there.
Will,
For a really big Blackboard installation, you can add a zero, not including humongous, very (i.e. as) expensive hardware and personnel.
David