Learning Management System
Migration Plan:
Vista > Connect
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Between November 2012 and June 2013, online components of LFS credit courses
will be moved to the new Learning Management System (LMS), “Connect.” The
timing and the structure of the LFS transition is designed to support teaching
excellence by building in longer-than-average windows for instructor training and
course development.
The LFS Learning Centre has developed this migration plan with input from UBC IT
and CTLT. These partners will activate the migration of course content as requested
by LFS. The LFS Learning Centre continues to provide instructional support,
training, and collaboration on course design. LFS will partner with CTLT to provide
workshops and training sessions customized to LFS needs.
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Contents:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
1
RATIONALE
2
MIGRATION PLAN
2
Migration Timing
2
Training and Professional Development
Scheduled Workshops
Additional Resources
3
3
4
Communications and Consultation
4
LFS Teaching Community Opportunities
4
Targets, Outcomes, and Monitoring
5
Preparing your course after migration
5
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RATIONALE
The transition is UBC-wide and required to move from the obsolete Vista platform
to the new Connect LMS. The new LMS was selected by the UBC Learning
Technologies Advisory Committee. The UBC deadline for leaving Vista is summer
2013, with no new Vista sections being created after April 2013. LFS courses
previously offered in Vista will be offered in Connect from May 2013 onward.
Although some other faculties and all of UBCO moved to Connect in Fall 2012, the
LFS plan allows more time for LMS stability and performance improvements to be
addressed before LFS instructors and students are fully on board.
The LFS plan migrates courses from Vista to Connect so that, in most cases,
instructors will have two terms from the end of a Vista section to the time the
course is taught in Connect. This is designed to support a smooth transition,
training, and opportunities for course updates.
MIGRATION PLAN
Migration Timing
Courses from the Summer sessions of 2012 have been sent to UBCIT for conversion.
Courses ending in November 2012 will be converted to Connect in January /
February 2013. The instructor will have until September 2013 to become
comfortable with Connect and to make updates to the course.
There are a few exceptions: courses to be taught again in the second term will
remain on Vista for Term 2 and won’t be converted to Connect until May 2013.
All remaining Vista courses will be sent for conversion in May 2013.
Here’s the timing for conversion to Connect:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Courses that start will be taught using
available to instructors
January 2013
Vista
November 30 2012
May 2013
Connect
January 2013
September 2013
Connect
February 2013
January 2014
Connect
June 2013
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An interactive timeline describing the LFS Connect Migration process can be found
here: http://bit.ly/UsKsRj
Learning Management System Migration Plan:
Vista > Connect
2
Training and Professional Development
Training will include:
• scheduled workshops
• tutorials and instructions via online resources
• assisted lab sessions combining training and course updates
• in-person training with LFS instructional support staff.
The LFS Learning Centre will collaborate with UBC IT and CTLT to make use of their
existing resources and expertise, as well as continuing to provide the in-person and
customized support that advances LFS teaching readiness in the online
environment.
Instructors will receive invitations to workshops and drop-in supervised lab
sessions, held in LFS and at UBC CTLT. Any instructor needing specific help can visit
the Learning Centre, arrange an office visit, or use the LFS Learning Centre
instructional Support live online office.
Many instructors prefer to learn a new learning management system
while they accomplish work on their course, rather than expending
effort on an empty practice course. The LFS plan supports the
productivity of direct work on courses.
Scheduled Workshops
Session title
Hosted by
Location Facilitator(s)
Dates
Connect I:
Introduction to
Teaching Using
Connect
LFS Learning Centre
FNH,
MCML
CTLT Staff,
LFS LC Staff
Connect II: Basics
& More
LFS Learning Centre
FNH,
MCML
CTLT Staff,
LFS LC Staff
Hosted Lab:
LFS Learning Centre
Designing and
Refining Your
Course in Connect
IKBLC;
MCML
CTLT Staff,
LFS LC Staff
February,
May,
August, and
November
2013
March, May,
August,
November,
2013
January
2014
ongoing
Learning Management System Migration Plan:
Vista > Connect
3
Additional Resources
LFS Learning Centre Instructional Support Online Office:
Using Blackboard Collaborate: http://bit.ly/SPQA3L
Web Resources:
Connect Instructor Resources
UBC Connect Professional Development Resources:
http://elearning.ubc.ca/professional-development/
CTLT Connect Institute
http://elearning.ubc.ca/professional-development/connect-institute/
Demonstration / Model Connect course
The LFS Learning Centre is evaluating the option to develop a simple Connect
course to be provided to all instructors as a resource and example.
Communications and Consultation
A combination of print, electronic and in-person communications support the LFS
migration to Connect.
•
•
•
•
Updates will be communicated through LFS Today, email, Community
meeting announcements, and Learning Centre blog postings.
Individual instructors will be asked to review the plan for their courses.
UBC IT and CTLT will provide technical feedback and schedule windows for
their services.
Electronic and paper posters or flyers will be provided
LFS Teaching Community Opportunities
The transition to Connect presents an opportunity for collaboration within and
beyond the LFS teaching community. The Learning Centre will organize sessions to
facilitate capacity-building, with an emphasis on realistic, effective practices in
support of pedagogical goals. Examples include designing and managing group
work, effective assessments, and efficient marking.
Learning Management System Migration Plan:
Vista > Connect
4
Targets, Outcomes, and Monitoring
In order to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the LFS migration to Connect, a
number of measures will be used to indicate success or the need to provide
additional support.
Qualitative outcomes:
• instructor preparedness
• course design improvements
• positive teaching and learning experiences for instructors and students.
The stability and usability of the Connect platform, while not within the control of
the LFS Learning Centre, will be monitored. Information on alternatives and backup
resources will be provided to instructors and students.
Existing / available quality monitoring methods:
• the LFS Learning Centre’s Request Ticket tracking system.
• in-person check-ins with instructors
• visual review of online courses
• monitoring of system stability based on UBC IT and CTLT reporting
• Learning Centre staff participation in technical discussions of LMS problems
and solutions
• standard student evaluations of teaching, and electronic formative review
• surveys for student and instructor feedback during courses
Preparing your course after migration
The migration process copies Vista content and structure into Connect. In most
cases, CTLT will be providing a cleanup service to correct HTML and other minor
technical problems that may occur in the transition. Once you access your migrated
course, please follow the checklist for migrated courses.
Checklist located at:
http://wiki.ubc.ca/images/d/da/Migrated_Course_Checklist.pdf
Questions?
Please contact the Learning Centre for assistance.
LFS Learning Centre Instructional Support mailto:<is@landfood.ubc.ca>
Learning Management System Migration Plan:
Vista > Connect
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