Interact2
Recently the Interact2 Project at CSU made a series of recommendations:
- Blackboard Learn be purchased as CSU’s new Learning Management System (LMS), replacing Interact which is the central component of our online learning environment (OLE).
- Blackboard Learn be hosted and managed by the vendor (externally)
- Blackboard be configured not customised to ensure upgradability
- MSI and EASTS are retained
- CSU Forums for learning and teaching activities, and CSU Gradebook, are decommissioned
- A phased implementation is adopted:
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- Phase 1: Implement optional course sites and optional project sites
- Phase 2: Implement subject sites. It is recommended that one or more pilots be investigated, possibly the Study Link subjects and the eStudent Support site
These recommendations were approved by Senate on May 15, 2013. Senate also decided to retain Interact2 as the name of the new integrated LMS.
The implementation will be implemented as per the following schedule.
| Description |
Target Timeframe |
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Phase 1: Project and course sites to staff and students |
Q1 2014 |
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Phase 2: eStudent support site |
Q1 2014 |
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Phase 3: Studylink subjects (24 June 2014 - 20 Dec 2014)
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June, 2014 |
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Phase 4: Live for Term 2, 2015
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December, 2014 |
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Phase 5: Full scale production – Session 1, 2015
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February, 2015 |
Who
The project sponsor is Marian Tulloch.
The i2 Project Team comprises:
Dawn Calvert - Project Manager
Mavis Jenkins - Business Analyst
Dave Roma - Solutions Coordinator
Gary Lipscomb - Solutions Architect (Infrastructure)
Greg Hardham - LTS business expert focusing on professional development
Kate Rose - Business expert
Stewart McKinney - Academic Support (Dean of Studies) business expert focusing on communications
Paul Bristow - Enterprise architect - applications
Mark Walsh - Programmer
Beren Walters - Programmer
Greg Fry - Library business expert
James Sloane - Programmer
Philip Uys – i2 Project Lead
How
The i2 Project Team have developed a comprehensive professional development plan, change management plan, communications plan and student support plan in close cooperation with the Educational Technology Reference Group. The plans will be made available to the CSU community.
A distributed approach to i2 change management is being adopted. Each area of the University which has an engagement with Interact, and will thus be involved with i2, will be asked to form an i2 Guiding Team to help facilitate the implementation of i2. The ILSCOSC, which is also the i2 project steering group, will serve as a reference group for the Guiding Teams. The i2 Change Management Team will take a proactive support and mentoring role for the Guiding Teams.
An i2 Guiding Team is defined as a group of people with responsibility around supporting the change management associated with the implementation of i2 and the transition from Interact to i2 in a specific University area. An i2 Guiding Team will have important strategic, motivational and in some cases, operational roles. Guidelines will be provided for developing the i2 Guiding Teams.
The diagram below provides a summary of work flows and relationships associated with the i2 project.
During 2013/14 staff from the Division of Learning and Teaching Services will be working closely with Schools/ Faculties, Institutes and Divisions to provide professional development, technical, educational design and media services support both in transitioning from Interact to i2 and in the creation of quality sites within the enhanced i2 environment. The i2 release to students will be supported by an Academic Support information program.
Regular project developments will be posted to the Yammer i2 project group at https://www.yammer.com/csu.edu.au/groups/i2project#/threads/inGroup?type=in_group&feedId=315775