Example of SWOT analysis tools

Introduction

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb (FFZG) is one of the largest institutions in the science and higher education system in the Republic of Croatia with more than 7000 students at all three levels of study: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate. FFZG has introduced the BigBlueButton videoconferencing system as a basic tool for videoconferencing in integration with the existing Omega distance learning system, based on Moodle LMS. The Omega system has been the official e-learning platform at the Faculty since 2004.

This decision arose from the need to provide students and teachers with a reliable, integrated and free solution for conducting distance learning, especially during the sudden transition to online work models in early March 2020. BigBlueButton, as open source software developed with an emphasis on educational needs, proved to be a natural choice: it provides support for live lectures, interactive discussions, group work in so-called breakout rooms, surveys and whiteboards. Integration into Moodle LMS enabled teachers to easily schedule and conduct online classes within an already familiar environment. Although it required a strong infrastructure and continuous IT support, BigBlueButton ensured the Faculty's digital sovereignty and enabled control over data, which proved important in the long-term development of digital teaching. In five years of use, more than 70,000 video recordings of lectures, consultations, exams and meetings were created, and many more videoconference sessions were held that were not recorded.

SWOT analysis

Conclusion

The introduction of the BigBlueButton system at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, proved to be a strategically important move in the digitalization of teaching. Thanks to the integration with Moodle LMS, teachers received a functional and reliable tool within a familiar environment, which facilitated the transition to online and hybrid forms of learning. BigBlueButton stood out as a solution that is fully focused on the needs of education, enabling interactivity, collaboration and inclusiveness in teaching. Its strengths, such as open source and control over data, are also a challenge because they require constant investment in technical infrastructure and support. Compared to commercial tools, the user experience may seem less attractive, but its pedagogical value and flexibility give it a significant advantage. In the long term, BigBlueButton represents an important step in preserving the digital sovereignty of the HEI and the university and in building a sustainable e-learning model.