LMS Transition FAQs
Blackboard Learn is one of the options we’re looking at; does that mean (if Bb Learn is selected) we don’t have to change at all? Accordion Closed
No! NAU is currently using Bb Learn Original Course View (the older version of Bb Learn), which is being discontinued by Blackboard in the next few years. So NAU is looking at Bb Learn Ultra, the newer version of Blackboard Learn, which will still require content migration and training equivalent to a new provider migration.
Accessibility isn’t listed in the criteria list – why not? It’s very important. Accordion Closed
We agree that accessibility is of the utmost concern as we evaluate NAU’s next LMS, so much so that Disability Resources has been tasked with evaluating each candidate LMS thoroughly. Because Disability Resources are examining each tool for accessibility, it was not included in the general criteria to be evaluated by students, staff and faculty.
I use some course materials from a content provider (e.g., Pearson, Cengage, McGraw-Hill) that is integrated into Bb Learn. Will I still be able to do that in the next LMS? Accordion Closed
Yes, the three LMS candidates all support LTI (Learning Technology Interoperability) content integration, the most popular kind of integration in use today. If you would like to check to make sure your particular product is supported by a particular LMS, please contact us at LMS-Faculty-Help@nau.edu and we’ll be happy to confirm.
Who will make the final decision regarding NAU’s next LMS? Accordion Closed
The Provost will make the final recommendation to the President, based on input from NAU students, faculty, staff; stakeholder groups; and technical teams.
How can we submit our input on the LMS selection? Accordion Closed
Throughout the Fall 2021 semester we will be gathering input from stakeholder groups,functional areas, and individuals regarding the LMS selection criteria. Beginning in January 2022, we will invite the NAU community to interact with each candidate LMS in depth and to provide their feedback. Stay tuned to this site and campus communications for opportunities to participate.
Will we be able to pilot the candidate LMS systems with live classes? Accordion Closed
To limit disruption and confusion for our students we do not plan to run live pilot for-credit courses in the candidate systems. However, there may be opportunities to participate in 0-credit courses (such as professional development training) during the implementation phase of the next LMS.
Will there be file- or course-size limitations in the new system? Accordion Closed
Storage is not unlimited so there will be reasonable restrictions on file and course sizes, though the details will not be determined until the implementation phase.
Have we evaluated and analyzed where other schools are headed in the state (higher education and k-12)? Long-term viability of a company ought to be considered. Accordion Closed
Yes, that analysis is underway. We already know that our sister institutions already use Desire2Learn Brightspace (University of Arizona) and Canvas (Arizona State University).
Will there be resources available to help migrate course content from the current Bb Learn system to the next LMS? Accordion Closed
Yes, NAU is investigating the engagement of professional services to assist in content migration, versus doing all migration in-house. Regardless, NAU faculty and other content owners will be at least partly responsible for assisting with the migration of their content. The transition to the next LMS will serve as an excellent opportunity to refresh and transform content.
Will the next LMS have some sort of adaptive release available to control access to content based on date, completion of other content, or other criteria? Accordion Closed
Yes, each candidate LMS has adaptive release features.
Will faculty be able to copy their own course content in the next LMS? Accordion Closed
Course copy controls and procedures will be determined during the implementation phase, but our hope is that instructors will be able to copy their own course content from semester to semester or section to section without submitting a request to the help desk. This and other LMS policies and business practices will be reviewed during implementation of the next LMS.
How long will the next LMS be in use at NAU? Accordion Closed
Contract terms will not be determined until implementation, but NAU will almost certainly engage in a multi-year contract with the next LMS. The current LMS (Blackboard Learn original course view) has been in use for over 10 years.
Will the next LMS be integrated with Zoom or another web conferencing tool? Accordion Closed
Technical teams will need to determine what level of integration is possible between the next LMS and Zoom or other web conferencing tools, but such integration will be a priority.
Standardization of course content is important to get new faculty started and to hand over classes from one teacher to the next; will the next LMS allow for standardization? Accordion Closed
Every LMS allows for some level of standardization of course content and structure, but academic programs will be responsible for enforcing that standardization. Transition to a new LMS is an excellent opportunity to provide more consistency and standardization between courses.
Video integration is really important. Will the new system integrate with Kaltura, and will the integration be simpler than our current integration? Accordion Closed
Each candidate system integrates with Kaltura, but specific integration steps may not be known until the implementation phase.
Will the next LMS be compatible with phones, tablets and other devices? Accordion Closed
Each of the candidate systems is designed to be natively compatible with multiple devices, and each offers an app for additional functionality.
Will faculty be able to test the candidate systems as students as well as with an instructor role? Accordion Closed
Yes, beginning in mid-October, everyone at NAU will be able to access a sample course in each system as a student. Faculty and staff will also be invited to access sample courses as instructors if they wish.