Official Launch of Interact2 on 30 th July 2015
On Thursday, 30th July Interact2 was officially launched by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Andrew Vann.
The VC, Philip Uys (i2 sponsor) and John Young (Strategic Account Manager, Blackboard) at the Launch
The Launch was a celebration as CSU had progressed through one full academic cycle, and while there were typical teething problems, the implementation went very well over all. All teaching staff and students are now using i2.
A survey was done among students (about 850) and teaching staff (about 150) and it seems that around 70% of staff and 70% of students are satisfied with the functionality of i2.
The implementation and use ofInteract2 is a critical building block for CSU to be the leader in online learning in
Australia. Having a new LMS is also an important building block in rolling out CSU’s new approach to distance education under the CSU Online brand.
In 2013 CSU acquired the following BB modules:
BB Learn
BB Mobile
BB Analytics for Learn
BB Content Management.
The implementation occurred in five phases, while the actual preparatory work started in mid 2013.
Phase 1: Project Sites and User Provisioning
Phase 2a: Academic Success site and Mobile
Feb, 2014
July, 2014
Phase 2b: Course sites
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Aug, 2014

Phase 3: Studylink subjects, Term 2, 201515 Sept, 2014
Phase 4: Subjects for International Term 2, 201515 Nov, 2014
Phase 5: Subjects for Session 1, 201530 Jan, 2015
BB analytics are now being implemented and will be made available to teaching staff during 201560.
The following gains are being achieved from CSU moving to Interact2:

Interact2 offers a contemporary and friendly user experience for both students and staff. Students have a more personalised experience in a learning-centred educational model.

Interact2 has a mobile interface which was not available in Interact.

Learning analytics. There is significantly more analytical functionality than available in Interact2. Data is available to teaching staff, who in turn can use it to make judgements about appropriate interventions.

There is a consistency of look and function.

Blackboard uses a powerful editor that enables the creation of rich learning material. It is consistent throughout the environment and supports multimedia and mathematical notation.

Adaptive release of content and activities means that their availability to students can be time-based or made to be dependent on the completion of specific prior activities.
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Assessment tools expand the range of online assessment that integrate with the Grade Centre, thus saving the re-entering of marks.
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There is far greater capacity to integrate 3 rd party products in Interact2. This enables increased flexibility and functionality for staff and students. Six third party products are currently being integrated with Blackboard.
The keys to the success of the implementation were

the collaborative work across divisions and faculties e.g. a widely representative project team and Interact2
Steering Committee and especially close working relationships between DSL and DIT;
 the collegial nature of the work where those involved went out of their way to assist each other;
 strong leadership;
 bottom up support through training and support; and

Interact2 guiding teams in the faculties and divisions.
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