Overview

Background

The University currently offers two centrally supported VLEs, Blackboard Learn and Moodle. Both these services are supported by information Services (IS) and benefit from the highest level of resilience with infrastructure located in both the University's main hosting sites. These VLEs are supplemented by a range of 'best of breed' software products which offer additional support for teaching and learning activities. 

The VLE Consolidation Project has undertaken an initial review of the bespoke Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) created by the Learning and Teaching Section (LTS) of the College of Medicine (EEMeC) and a decision has been made to migrate the Medical school to Blackboard Learn, with the first students using the new Learn VLE from July 2017.

The VLE Migration project will manage the transition from the existing EEMeC system to Blackboard Learn.

Scope

To migrate MBChB course content and functionality to Blackboard Learn, with the first students able to access Learn from July 2017.

Adaptation of bespoke systems not regarded as ‘core’ are outwith the scope of this project.

Manual enrolment of users to courses will be required for 2017-18 but the intention is for this to be automated from 2018.

Objectives

The overarching objective is to improve the student experience of the MBChB programme through the use of an effective, resilient and sustainable VLE. In order to achieve this, this project will:

1. Migrate content from the existing VLE to Blackboard Learn to allow MBChB students to use the new system from July 2017.

2. Migrate functionality from the existing VLE to Blackboard Learn to allow MBChB students to use the new system from July 2017. Core (must have) functionality will be available from July 2017 for all MBChB students either by LEARN itself or through a link from LEARN to an internal or external system.

However, it is recognised that the complexity of the existing VLE, the curriculum mapping and assessment processes that it supports, the bespoke functionality provided by a number of linked systems and the tight time constraints may result in a phased approach to migration of functionality to ensure all MBChB students can use LEARN from July 2017.

Deliverables

The MBChB will be taught through the Blackboard Learn VLE from July 2017.  

A migration plan will be agreed by the Project Board and reviewed at key checkpoints. Development and testing of a prototype course will inform the roll-out timetable.

All EEMeC content will be mapped to LEARN. If any EEMeC content cannot be mapped to LEARN an alternative solution will be identified. If the alternative solution can be completed within project timescales without the requirement for additional resources, it will be delivered as part of the project. If it requires additional time or resource, it will be out of scope for this project.

All EEMeC functionality will be mapped to LEARN. If any EEMeC functionality cannot be provided by LEARN, an alternative solution will be identified. If the alternative solution can be completed within project timescales without the requirement for additional resources, it will be delivered as part of the project. If it requires additional time or resource, it will be out of scope for this project.  

A documented training & support model will be developed, including additional support for the year following go-live. 

Benefits

The overarching benefit of the project will be to improve the student and staff experience of the virtual learning environment that underpins MBChB teaching.

In addition, it will allow the College to focus resources on value-add activities such as increasing the MBChB team’s capacity to innovate, rather than maintaining specialist knowledge of, and providing support for a bespoke VLE

Moving to Blackboard Learn brings the MBChB programme in line with the rest of the organisation, providing a consistent user experience and facilitating cross-programme teaching

This also provides a more sustainable solution, allowing the School to take advantage of centrally provided IS support, training, documentation and consultancy as well as improved service continuity and disaster recovery provision

Success Criteria

An improved student and staff experience of the MBChB Virtual Learning Environment. This will be tested by survey before the end of the 2016-17 Academic year and again during the 2017-18 Academic Year

In-scope MBChB content and existing EEMeC functionality for years 4-6 will be delivered via Learn from July 2017

All in-scope MBChB content and existing EEMeC functionality will be delivered via Learn for years 1-3 from September 2017

Programme administrators (year co-ordinators and module organisers) should be able to update course content in the new environment with limited support from LTW