EIRP Proceedings, Vol 6 (2011)

Abstract

The authors aim to highlight, after using the LMS based Sakai from implementation, the perception
of both sides (professors and students) over the use of the implementation of information and communication
technology (ITC) in the education process. In the academic year 2007 – 2008, the leadership of Danubius
University from Galati adopted the strategic decision to develop an integrated information system, which to
incorporate the Student Information System (UMS), an e-learning platform, management system, research
and administrative management. In the months April – May 2010, at Danubius University from Galati it was
made a survey organized by MISI 2010, at which 28 universities attended from around the world who use
Sakai, of the professors and students regarding the use in their activity of the ITC and in general of the
platform Danubius Online. At the university Danubius from Galati answered to the survey 24 professors and
177 students. The participants responded to questions about both their views concerning the use of the
information technology in the superior education in general, and at specific questions concerning the
Danubius Online portal. After the experience gained in the pilot phase, developed in the academic year 2009-
2010 and taking into account by the results of the survey, it was decided that starting with 1 October 2010 to
proceed to the stage production. To this end, it was installed the Sakai version 2.7.1 and significantly
increased the number of course sites that are operating on the Danubius Online portal, the tendency being to
generalize at all the university courses, taking into account by the trends of the both sides. There have been
introduced more extensive indications of use, both for students and for professors. The article aims to
highlight the reactions of both sides: professors and students, on the implementation of the Danubius online
platform, through a survey that took place during May – June 2010. This is a clear example of response to the
technological change management within the university. By participating in the survey organized by MISI
2010 we found both strengths and weaknesses in the Romanian educational management, but also of all the
participant universities within the survey. Being the only university from Romania, which has implemented
the learning platform developed in the Sakai project, we can state that the results are unique, so therefore we
believe that this paper brings a new contribution to the higher education by highlighting the current level of
development.