LMS evaluation process seeks reviewers for sample courses

The process of selecting a new Learning Management System (LMS) to replace the current system is continuing this semester, and full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and staff users of Blackboard are invited to review and provide feedback for a prototype Cincinnati State course deployed in each of the three LMS products under consideration.

If you volunteer to be a reviewer, you’ll need to spend about 3 hours over the next 2 weeks taking a look at a version of the course Biology 111 in each of three LMS environments: Brightspace, Blackboard Ultra, and Canvas.

Knowledge of Biology is not required to evaluate the sample courses, but you do need to commit to completing a thorough review and providing meaningful feedback for all three versions of the course.

If you want to participate in the LMS course review, please complete this form by Monday, January 29.

• You’ll receive personal login credentials that will give you access to the three sample courses.

• During your evaluation of each course LMS site, you’ll simulate the student experience as you complete several tasks:
  • Find and navigate through the course’s “Start Here” module
  • Locate the Week 1 module and complete the “Introduce Yourself” assignment
  • Take the Practice Test in the Week 1 module, purposely answering some questions incorrectly
  • Locate the discussion boards and post something in the “Cyber Café”
  • View the gradebook
  • Explore other parts of the course site
  • Make note of anything you’d like the LMS Evaluation Team to know about your experience with each course, and provide feedback about your experience

Background:

Blackboard Original, the learning management system (LMS) currently used to support all Cincinnati State courses and to support some employee organizations and services, is being phased out by its parent company and replaced with a newer version that is significantly different from the current version.

Previous steps in the LMS review process have included vendor presentations, and surveys to collect faculty and staff responses to the products under consideration.

The evaluation process will be completed and a new LMS will be selected during this academic year (2023-24). Transition to a new LMS will occur during the 2024-25 academic year, with full use of a new system expected to launch in Fall Semester 2025.

If you have questions, you can contact Dr. Stephanie Stafford, Associate Dean of Teaching and Online Learning (stephanie.stafford@cincinnatistate.edu), or the other members of the LMS Evaluation Team: Jon McKamey, Julie McLaughlin, Bob Nields, Peggy Rolfsen, Frankie Baker, and Tracy Metsch.