 LMS Implementation Update
Activities
The following list of activities is not complete, but provides an overview of the tasks that LTRC has to complete in order to get the new LMS up and running. This page will be updated as we proceed through the implementation process.
NOTE: this list contains the major "going forward" items only. Everything in the LMS evaluation and selection process that has been accomplished to get us to this point is not shown.
Tecnical Implementation
People/Course Information Integration
Gather Requirements for Server Configuration and Migration
Migration/Training Planning and Strategies
Business Workflow and Policy Development
 Completed |
 In Progress |
 Not started |
While WebCT was developed in the early 1990's, the newer version of products from Blackboard were developed less than 5 years ago. Thus, the technical implementation of the new LMS is much more complicated than for the current version of WebCT. To get an idea of the complexity the hardware requirements, view the hardware set up diagram for the current version of WebCT (WebCT hardware  ) and compare it to the proposed Blackboard implementation (new LMS hardware )
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Issue RFP for hardware infrastructure (network load balancers, network switches, blade servers, blade storage) |
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Award bid and purchase hardware |
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Secure all software components (BBLS, Operating Systems, Databases) |
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Technical implementation planning with Blackboard (consultation session) |
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Assess suitable location for new infrastructure |
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Site visit to University of Ottawa to see their technical implementation of Blackboard and to discuss implementation best practices (scheduled June 6th) |
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Virtualized environment set up |
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Install, rack and cable hardware
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Hardware testing
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O/S, Database installation and testing |
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Clustered installation of applications; clustered environment testing |
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Configure applications |
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Integrate data management |
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More to come ... |
| Completed |
In Progress |
Not started |
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Project registration with UTS to obtain new data streams (for people and course information integration) |
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Design schema for data streams |
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Receive data schema for testing |
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Test design and API (application programming interface) with new LMS to see if people (faculty, staff, student) and course information can be efficiently and effectively integrated |
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Receive live data and integrate |
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Test |
| Completed |
In Progress |
Not started |
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There are many identified stakeholders. The LTRC needs to confer and work with all of them to ensure that the configuration of the Learning Management System best meets everyone's needs. Furthermore, now that we know how the new system will function, we can begin to nail down the specifics on integration with various systems such as CAPA (used by Physics), Elluminate, Libraries, etc. A PDF file containing the stakeholders in the project is available for download (stakeholders.pdf ) |
| Completed |
In Progress |
Not started |
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Schedule meetings with Associate Deans to address concerns, establish communications, and to identify faculty champions and potential LMS liaisons |
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Communications with Department Chairs and Program Directors to address concerns, establish communications, and to identify faculty champions and potential LMS liaisons |
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Open discussions with faculty and support staff to understand training and migration preferences and concerns |
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Analysis of current tool usage within WebCT |
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Research migration/training strategies at other institutions. |
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Site visit to University of Ottawa planned for June 6th |
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LMS staff training (Blackboard Product Specialist Training) |
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Administrative training for LMS staff in the LTRC |
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Establish LMS Liaison network: offer early training, support and communications |
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Test course migration, imports, exports |
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Develop training materials (face-to-face, online, helpsheets, faq's) |
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Finalize migration/training plan, communicate, and deploy |
| Completed |
In Progress |
Not started |
Last updated:
05-Dec-08
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