The process for the change to the new LMS

The gradual deployment of the new LMS in 2009

During 2009 the ANU will operate the new (Wattle) and existing LMS platforms (WebCT and others) side-by-side. To manage the migration process the University plans to  phase-in access to the new platform during Semester 1 2009, with a larger push leading up to Semester 2 2009, and an even larger push for Semester 1 2010. To achieve this will mean rapidly training not just staff to use the new system, but also the critical support staff in the middle of the University and those in the Colleges. The University and the vendor will need to do a lot of integration work to seamlessly link our business systems to the new LMS. On top of those, the University is also working on the most effective and user-friendly way to migrate the thousands of courses in our current WebCT system.

The implication is that during Semester 1 2009 the new platform will be available, but there will be very limited support to start with, and it will not be deeply integrated with our other systems. This will change as quickly as can be managed, but with thousands of courses to work on, it won't be overnight.

A small number of courses (20-50) have access during Semester 1 2009, run by lecturers who are prepared to be at the leading-edge, who can attend the initial training, who can largely support themselves, who can cope with unforeseen issues as they arise, and who are prepared to help their colleagues a little when they start to migrate. However, there needs to be a limit to the total number of lecturers in this phase, to manage the training and support needs. If you are interested in being involved, please email Karen.Visser@anu.edu.au to discuss.

During Semester 1, the University will work with the vendor on the integration and migration of courses for Semester 2. Colleges and lecturers will be given access to and support for the new system for those courses as quickly as possible, and feedback taken on improvements. Similarly, the Semester 2 period will be used to tackle courses for Semester 1 2010.

In all situations we will have the fallback of the existing WebCT system, but supporting two systems in parallel is a huge workload - so the University will be keen to move courses over to the new system as quickly as possible.

Once the new system is sufficiently in place, there will be processes for enhancements and feature requests to be put forward. Not all of the University's requirements will be met from day 1, but we will be on a path to get there.

Proposed timeframe for the changeover to the new LMS.

Please note that this timeline is the current target, and elements may change as the University proceeds. 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 and a wide range of online and training services will become available from April 2009 to support the uptake of Wattle. WebCT can be used for courses until the end of Semester 1 2010.

There are a number of key points to migrate courses from WebCT to Wattle, or to begin using Wattle, throughout 2009 and the first half of 2010:
-- for courses in Semester 2 2009
-- for Summer school courses 2009-2010
-- for courses in Semester 1 2010
-- for Autumn and Winter school courses 2010 and finally
-- for courses in Semester 2 2010 - WebCT will not be available for Sem 2 2010

WebCT will continue to be supported until the the end of Semester 1 2010 on current plans.This timetable will be reviewed in Sept 2009 and in the case of unforeseen circumstances, will be revised.