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MSU's New Learning Management System
We Want Your Input
 As a critical part of MSU's evaluation
of Learning Management Systems, the LMS Evaluation Committee
is hosting a set of demonstrations whose systems are
being considered to replace the current version of WebCT,
which will be retired next academic year. Two options
were considered; MSU and Vendor hosted. Following submission
and scoring of proposals to supply MSU with an LMS,
we have invited the top 2 or 3 of each option to present
and demonstrate the solution that they submitted in
their RFP response.
The demos, which will be followed by "kick
the tires" user trials, will be held on February
25, 26 and 27, 2008. Each of those days there
will be one vendor presentation from 10am-noon, and
a repeat from 2-4 pm.
Vendor Demonstrations
Feb 25, 10am and 2pm: Desire2Learn
Feb 26, 10am and 2pm: rSmart
Feb 27, 10am and 2pm: Blackboard
Location: Room EPS 126
Demonstrations by MSU Faculty
March 6, 10am and 2pm: Moodle
Location: Room EPS 126
All members of the MSU community are welcome to attend
these sessions, which will also be available via videoconference
to the Billings, Great Falls, and Northern campuses.
Onsite Product Trials
February 29-March 21, 2008
Following the product demonstrations, the MSU community of faculty and students are invited to evaluate them by accessing the systems and testing the various features and functions of all 4 products.
This three-week trial period is intended to give end users a feel for how the tools work and how closely they match the functionality described in the RFP. Members of the MSU community who participate in the trials will be asked to complete a brief follow up evaluation survey.
For additional information about the trials, and to get information so that you can participate in testing one or all of the LMS products (Desire2Learn, rSmart Sakai, Blackboard, Moodle), please email Ritchie Boyd at the BTC, email jrboyd@montana.edu.
About the Moodle LMS Pilot
Moodle is an open source LMS product that is also being considered as part of MSU’s LMS evaluation.
There is an ongoing trial of Moodle for faculty who are interested in learning more about its features and functions. A campus demonstration of Moodle will be scheduled TBA. Learn more about Moodle.
For details about the Moodle pilot, please contact Lisa Brown at (406) 994-3062 or email Lisa.Brown@montana.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions about the LMS Evaluation process
Why do we have to switch from WebCT?
The version of WebCT that MSU uses, called Campus Edition 4.1, will no longer be supported by the company after June 2009. It is therefore important that MSU identify and migrate to a different LMS prior to that date.
Why do an evaluation of LMS’s?
The market for LMS’s has changed substantially since WebCT was first adopted by MSU back in 2000. Various technical advisory committees felt that MSU should examine available options and determine the best course of action to meet the unique needs of the MSU community.
Is there a timeline for transition? When do we have to switch?
The goal of the evaluation process is to identify a successor to WebCT CE4.1 and implement it as soon as possible. Faculty who have not begun using any LMS will be directed to the new system. Faculty who are using WebCT will be encouraged to migrate their courses as soon as feasible, and the institution's goal is to have all courses migrated to the new system by Spring 2009.
WebCT will continue to be supported at MSU during the transition to the new LMS.
See the LMS Eval committee membership.
For more information contact the BTC at (406) 994-6550.
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