Learning Management System (LMS) Review
Under Broader Public Sector (BPS) guidelines, Michener is obligated to formally review the value of all major service contracts on a periodic basis. Michener’s LMS contract (Blackboard) has been scheduled for review via an open request for proposals (RFP).
In addition to BPS guidelines, it is imperative to review the LMS landscape to ensure that Michener can deliver the best education experience for students and faculty and meet our strategic goals for program growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way that we teach and learn, with a major emphasis on engaging with students online. Now is the perfect time for Michener to evaluate the most important tool that we use to deliver our curriculum.
Michener faculty and staff may recall that we conducted a similar LMS review with UHN in 2018. While LMS renewal was ultimately paused so that UHN could focus on migrating their electronic health record system to Epic, we will use the outcomes of that review as a starting point.
Timelines
LMS procurement and migration is a lengthy process and must be done with an exceptional amount of planning and change management. Michener’s current contract with Blackboard will be extended until July 2025 to give us adequate time to select a vendor, train users, and perform full course migration. It is important to note that if Blackboard were to be the successful vendor, we would migrate to their contemporary platform, Blackboard Ultra, which would require the same level of planning as migrating to a new vendor’s platform.
Our project team is in the initial planning stages, and detailed information about timelines and milestones will be forthcoming. The following timelines outline our next steps:
- March – July 2023: Extend existing Blackboard contract; investigate ideal state of LMS integration with other key Michener digital infrastructure; review outcomes of 2018 LMS review.
- September – October 2023: Engage faculty, staff and students in detailed LMS requirements gathering.
- November – December 2023: Draft and issue LMS RFP.
Project Team
Because of the size and significance of this project, representatives from across Michener will be involved in planning, implementing, and conducting the needs analysis and LMS review at various points during the project. Our core project planning team currently includes:
- Jordan Holmes, Senior Manager, Centre for Learning, Innovation and Simulation
- Carrie Pajotte, Director, Information Management
- Karen Chaiton, Senior Director, Infrastructure and Academic Linkages
- Lori Peppler-Beechey, Associate Head of Academic Affairs and Operations
- Garth Gayle, Director, Finance
- Jennifer Levine, Manager, Instructional Design
- Alex DeOliveira, Learning Systems Administrator
To stay up to date on the progress of the LMS review, continue to check this website. Important updates will be communicated both here and via Michener News.
FAQ
- Do we have a preferred vendor for a new LMS?
No. The purpose of the RFP is to clearly state our requirements and engage with the vendor community to select the solution that best meets our needs.
- How can I provide feedback about LMS requirements?
Please look forward to upcoming communication about how to participate in our requirements gathering and review process.
- Do I need to do anything in my Blackboard courses right now?
No. Once the outcomes of the review are finalized, this will be communicated to the Michener community along with transition plans and support resources as appropriate.
- Who do I contact if I have any questions?
Please contact clis@michener.ca for any questions about the LMS Review Project.
