Thriving Through Adversity: How Open LMS Helped Northern Marianas College Deliver Quality Education, Rain or Shine

In the heart of the Pacific lies Northern Marianas College (NMC), the only public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Established in 1981, NMC has consistently transformed lives and created opportunities for the people of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

NMC offers a diverse range of academic and certificate programs at an affordable price, all while promoting a deep understanding of the islands’ unique heritage. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), NMC empowers students to achieve their goals and become active contributors to their communities.

Keep reading as we explore how NMC partnered with Open LMS to turn adversity into opportunity, overcoming unexpected events to set new benchmarks for resilience and innovation.

The Challenges: Adapting to Unpredictable Climate Events and Technological Barriers

Over the last decade, Northern Marianas College (NMC) has faced a series of profound challenges that shaped its journey toward transformation.

• 2015: Super Typhoon Soudelor caused significant damage to NMC’s infrastructure, disrupting educational activities and exposing vulnerabilities to the institution’s reliance on physical resources and manual processes. At the time, NMC was using Moodle™ as its learning management system (LMS), and hosted by another provider. Yet, adoption was limited, and the platform’s default capabilities were not sufficient to fully address the institution’s needs.
• 2017: By 2017, NMC LMS adoption remained limited, with only 22% of its courses—just 46 out of approximately 211—available on the platform. The majority of faculty members used various grading platforms that weren’t directly integrated with the LMS. In addition, manual processes for grading and sharing resources remained common.
• 2018: Super Typhoon Yutu devastated Saipan and Tinian, destroying over 80% of the NMC campus, including 37 out of 39 classrooms and 24 of 27 buildings, such as the bookstore and cafeteria. The damage forced NMC to relocate classes temporarily to Saipan Southern High School, where a staggered schedule allowed students to complete their semester when power and internet connections were reestablished.
• 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic further tested NMC’s resilience, as synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning became mandatory to maintain education amid widespread disruptions.

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The Solution: Partnering With Open LMS for Increased Resilience and Innovation

Recognizing the critical role of technology in overcoming these challenges, NMC partnered with Open LMS in 2018. This partnership allowed Open LMS to provide a robust, cloud-based learning management system to meet the college's needs. Open LMS provided:

• Cloud-based infrastructure: The platform ensured data security and remote access, maintaining operational continuity during unexpected climate events.
• Seamless integrations: Open LMS enabled instructors to easily adopt new technologies, leveraging tools like Zoom, Turnitin, Cengage MindTap, and Respondus, which simplify workflows and enhance the teaching experience.
• Asynchronous learning features: This supported students in remote areas or with unreliable internet connections, allowing them to download materials and complete assignments offline.
• Dynamic accessibility: Open LMS's dynamic environment allows students and instructors to access their course resources across all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring flexibility and convenience for diverse learning needs.
• Intuitive design: The platform’s Snap theme improved navigation, encouraging wider adoption among students and faculty.

Additionally, NMC focused on personalized, one-on-one support under the guidance of NMC's William Hunter. This approach ensured instructors received tailored training that aligned with their unique skill levels and goals, building confidence and fostering deeper engagement with the platform’s capabilities.

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The Results: Enhanced Adoption, Resilience, Satisfaction and Sustainability

By implementing Open LMS, NMC achieved transformative outcomes that went beyond addressing immediate challenges, laying the groundwork for sustained growth and innovation:

1) Increased LMS Adoption

Through one-on-one training and an intuitive platform design, NMC saw LMS adoption rise from 22% to 93% by Fall 2018, with 196 courses fully utilizing the platform. Faculty feedback highlighted the ease of transitioning to digital tools and the efficiency gained by reducing reliance on manual processes. The LMS also facilitated access to digital resources such as ebooks and other course materials, removing logistical barriers that had previously hindered learning.

2) Resilience During Natural Disasters

In late 2018, the cloud-based infrastructure safeguarded course materials and student data housed in the LMS during Super Typhoon Yutu. Furthermore, the LMS played a crucial role in ensuring continuity when courses resumed, despite the significant challenges. The ability to submit assignments digitally eliminated the need for physical resources like printers, which were often inaccessible after the typhoon.

3) Continuity Amid Challenging Global Events

In 2020, Open LMS enabled NMC to pivot seamlessly to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Real-time virtual classes through Zoom allowed faculty to conduct engaging synchronous sessions, while asynchronous tools, such as downloadable materials and offline assignment submissions, ensured students with intermittent internet access could keep up with their studies.

4) Positive Student Feedback

In NMC's Fall 2022 Student Survey, students praised the LMS for its convenience, ease of use, and ability to accommodate their busy schedules. Full-time employees and those balancing work with studies found the LMS's flexibility particularly valuable, especially when in-person attendance wasn't possible. Students also highlighted the clear assignment structure and readily accessible LMS support, which ensured a smoother learning experience.

5) Environmental and Institutional Impact

The LMS-led shift to digital workflows not only transformed education but also significantly reduced environmental impact and the institution’s carbon footprint. By moving away from printed syllabi and materials, NMC saved about 440,100 sheets of paper annually, equivalent to preserving 52 full-grown pine trees each year. Over four years, this translates to 208 pine trees saved, reducing costs for printing, toner, and copier maintenance while freeing administrative staff to focus on higher-value tasks.

Additionally, NMC received accolades in 2022 from WSCUC for its timely and effective response to Super Typhoon Yutu and the COVID-19 pandemic. The institution’s resilience in navigating these challenges was attributed to its leadership and the dedication of its faculty and staff.

NMC’s story shows how the right technology can turn significant challenges into opportunities for growth. Through its partnership with Open LMS, the college has created a learning environment that’s not only resilient but also forward-thinking. By integrating robust digital tools and fostering a culture of innovation, NMC is paving the way for even greater advancements.

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