New Digital Learning Management System at NTNU - Kunnskapsbasen
New Digital Learning Management System at NTNU
Here you will find information for all employees and students who are affected by the acquisition of a new digital learning management system (LMS) for NTNU.
NTNU's agreement with Blackboard expires in October 2024. In the coming months, we need to map current and future needs relating to this new procurement. The Vice-Rector for Education has decided that NTNU will work together with the rest of the higher education sector to choose the same solution. We will therefore be working closely with Sikt - the education sector's service provider (Sikt project portal is coming).
Norwegian version: Ny digital læringsplattform ved NTNU
Status and latest activity - updated 22.05.23
After mapping needs at NTNU, no other activities have been carried out internally at NTNU. However, work is being done to coordinate the procurement of the LMS and system for digital assessment. The needs assessment clearly points in the direction that assessment and learning must be seen more holistically, also when it comes to system support.
Further process depends on, and follows SIKT's organization and progress. You can read more about SIKT's plans by following this link to SIKT's website. In addition, you can watch a webinar where SIKT presents the Insights Report and something further plans in the recording linked here. So far (22.05.23) there have been no formal inquiries or invitations from SIKT to NTNU regarding formal participation and further work in the procurement.
Most likely, further progress and plans will lead to shifts in the timeline shown further down this page. More tangible information about this will come as soon as it has been decided.
- Upcoming activity: Complete NTNU's internal mapping report to the steering group for the project at NTNU.
- Invitation from SIKT regarding participation and participation in the duck pollination project.
- January 2023: SIKT's project report for the Insights project has been completed and published. You can read the report by clicking on this link.
- 8.7.2022: Contribution from NTNU to the Insights Project in SIKT was submitted. Systematic data collection has ended.
Pedagogy in focus
With this new procurement, Sikt and NTNU want a special focus on pedagogy and educational methods and practice. We will not "just" move to a new system, but also reflect and discuss how digital tools can support and motivate throughout the learning process, including assessment and lifelong learning aspects.
Thanks for alle the input
Many have become involved in the input process.
- Read all the input that has been received.
- Contact The Section for Teacing and Learning Support if you still have input on process or content.
Background
Premise no. 1: NTNU's agreement with Blackboard expires in October 2024.
Since 2016, NTNU has had an agreement with Blackboard for the digital learning management system Blackboard Learn.
This agreement expires in 2024, and therefore a new procurement process has been started now. The procurement regulations set out guidelines for the length of contractual agreements. Both the competitive situation and the companies' need for updated systems are taken into account.
Changing the learning management system is both time-consuming and resource intensive. At the same time, good processes leading up to a new acquisition will give us opportunities for development, increased added value and improved quality in the learning environment at NTNU.
Premise no. 2: Enter into a framework agreement with the rest of the higher education sector.
NTNU made the Blackboard acquisition independently and has managed the system during the period as the only institution in Norway. Most other universities and colleges entered into a joint sector framework agreement through UNIT and signed an agreement with the supplier of the learning management system Canvas.
Sikt (formerly Unit) will now negotiate a new framework agreement with approximately the same target dates as NTNU.
Roadmap for the LMS service on Sikt's website.
In preparation for a new procurement process, the Vice-Rector for Education has decided that NTNU will participate in the work towards a new framework agreement with the sector, and that we will work actively to ensure that all institutions choose the same solution.
Premise no. 3: Large parts of the procurement will take place under the auspices of Sikt.
Public procurement follows a standardised procurement process. (See phase descriptions in the picture below.) NTNU has appointed a steering group to follow the procurement until the agreement is entered into.
Most of the work in the different phases of the procurement process will take place under the auspices of Sikt, but NTNU will be an active party together with the other institutions. To ensure organisational involvement, NTNU has organized a separate project to map and clarify our needs. We aim to contribute fully in the design of the requirements specification to ensure NTNU's needs are met in the best way.
Information on public procurement.
Timeline and milestones
Milestone: Decision on Sector Procurement
Apr. 2021 - Jan. 2022
Contract clarifications. Proceedings in UU. Creation of a steering comittee group.
Milestone: Mapping Report
Jan. 2022 - Des. 2022
Assess needs. Create competitive strategy. Prepare for competition.
Milestone: Enter into an Agreement
Des. 2022 - Mai. 2023
Announce competition. Choose an offer and enter into an agreement.
Milepæl: Start-up New System
Mai 2023 - Aug. 2024
Prepare contract execution and use agreement. Testing, piloting and introduction og a new system.
Process and organization
Status and further work
1. Pre-phase and preparations
Activity to prepare NTNU for new procurement has included:
-
Dialogue with the Section for Procurement and Purchasing
-
Dialogue with Sikt
-
Anchoring the process and decisions with the vice-rector
- Creating a steering group. This steering group will follow the process up to and including the conclusion of the agreement.
| Steering Group | |
| Department head of the Department for Educational Quality | Audun Grøm (leader) |
| Section chief, Section for IT-management | Kari Rannov Bostad |
| Section chief, Section for Teaching and Learning Support | Morten Sørlie |
| Vice-dean for Education, NV | Karina Mathisen |
| Deputy institute leader, IE | Rune Hjelsvold |
| Consultant, SU | Signe Marie Søraunet |
| Consultant, Academic Administrative Division | Marion Iren Larsen |
| Project leader, NTNU Videre | Haakon Aasprong |
| Program leader, the Digitalisation programme | Geir Nysetvold |
| Representative from the student parliament | Fredrik Framhus |
Phase 2: Clarify needs and prepare for competition
A project has been launched to ensure the involvement of the organisation and to map and describe the needs of NTNU. There will be activities for relevant user groups/stakeholders throughout the spring. There will be formal activities via faculties, and other relevant academic environments, but also in informal channels.
There will be a focus on ensuring that everyone who wants to be able to provide input and share experiences can do so. The project will submit a report based on these activities to the vice-rector further along in the process. These activities will form a starting point for further requirements specifications.
Sikt will carry out its own survey of the institutions, and NTNU's internal work will be included here.
Phase 3: Prepare and conduct competition
Most of the work in this phase will take place under the auspices of Sikt. NTNU aims to be a premise supplier for the design of requirements specification.
Phase 4: Introduction, piloting and training
Prepare to execute the contract and to use the agreement. Contact follow-up. Start-up the new system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we just continue with Blackboard?
NTNU currently has the Blackboard system Blackboard Learn. Blackboard has otherwise developed a new version called Ultra which is to be regarded as a completely new platform with changed functionality, new tools and changed workflow. If we were to continue with Blackboard, it would only be possible in this new version, so no it is not possible to carry on using Blackboard Learn.
Can we take Blackboard content to a new system?
It will be possible to transfer content from the old to the new system. Details and scope of this depend on which system is chosen and will have to be tested. A number of tools that are connected to Blackboard will be able to be connected to other learning platforms, e.g., Panopto. The course pages will have to be rebuilt, and this will be a good opportunity to re-design content and structure.
Contact
Contact The Section for Teaching and Learning Support for support on digital learning.
