Summary of the Learning Management System (LMS) Review
Our current LMS, WebCT CE 4.1, was due for review.
Why change?
Our current LMS is
WebCT CE 4.1.
It will continue to be available and supported throughout 2009. WebCT has been a
fantastically useful and stable product at ANU since 2001. It has suited our
purposes well and its use has grown dramatically.
However, over time the ways we use the web have changed. Students and
lecturers have higher expectations of their online environments. Newer
technologies now allow much richer and more flexible ways for students to engage
with the people and materials in their courses, for enhancing learning and
teaching processes, and for seamless integration with the University's many
other online services.
So it was time to review our LMS.
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The process for selecting a new Learning Management System
The Director of ICT Environments, Dr Markus Buchhorn, has been taking advice
throughout 2007 and 2008 from staff and students about the University’s needs,
through individual and group meetings across the University, emailed comments,
phone calls, etc. and more formally via the Academic Systems Assurance Advisory
Committee and various College Education and Information Committees. In May 2008
an LMS Proposal Evaluation Panel was established, bringing together people from
many parts of ANU with expertise on the various aspects of online learning and
teaching. A list of requirements (available here) was
drawn up, circulated for comment in 2007 and further refined by the evaluation
panel, in consultation with their areas, through May/June 2008. This was sent
out as part of a Request for Proposal (RFP) in July 2008. The proposals were
received on 30 July 2008, and have been carefully evaluated.
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The process for the change to the new LMS
It is important that any new system is introduced alongside the
old, to allow time for training and familiarity with the new system and to
transfer learning materials from the old system to the new one. The new system
ideally should be fully functional by Semester 2, 2009. Areas will adopt the new
system in ways which best suit their own needs and timeframes.
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Welcome to Wattle
Wattle (Web Access to Teaching &
Learning Online) is the name for the University's new Learning Management
Service which consists of Moodle as the main underpinning platform and provides
the framework for the courses and tools available to students and staff. Wattle
currently supports other online learning services such as Digital Lecture
Delivery (DLD) with future support being developed for Camtasia and Wimba Live
Classroom.
When will academics be able to migrate to Wattle?
ANU Colleges are currently working with their academic staff to consider the
best way to migrate to Wattle. A range of online resources and training services
are available to support the uptake of Wattle. WebCT will continue to be
supported until the end of Semester 1, 2010.
Throughout 2009 and during the first half of 2010 there will be several
opportunities to transition your courses to Wattle:
• Semester 2, 2009
• Summer School Courses 2009-2010
• Semester 1, 2010
• Autumn and Winter School Courses 2010
• Semester 2, 2010
This timetable will be reviewed in September 2009 and revised if necessary.
Wattle
Semester 1 Pre-release >>
Wattle
Semester 2 Release >>
Courses being offered in
Wattle for Semester 1, 2009 >>
Division of Information and College Support for Wattle
The best outcomes for this project will be achieved by working as a partnership
initiative between the Division of Information and participating ANU Colleges.
More
information >>
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LMS Milestones
March 2009
28 academics working with Wattle during the prerelease phase. Full
support structures being developed.
January 2009
RFP evaluation and contract negotiations with vendor completed. Detailed
planning for deployment during 2009 underway.
July 2008
Request-for-Proposals (RFP) sent to vendors. Submissions received by 30
July.
June 2008
Proposal Evaluation panel set up, requirements being finalised for
Request-for-Proposals (RFP)
Feb 2008
RFI sent to potential vendors, responses evaluated.
Sep 2007
Initial list of requirements distributed for comment
Throughout 2007
Consultation re requirements with individuals and groups
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