During recent interviews with education technology decision-makers at institutions of higher education, I was struck by the sometimes extreme views formed about vendors during the process of procuring tools to support teaching and learning. Company representatives are anathema to some, yet indispensable partners to others.
Yet all higher-ed institutions need and use technology, and most rely on external developers rather than develop their own tools. As a result, like them or not, relationships with vendors must be developed and sustained.
