UBC is in the early stages of transitioning from WebCT Vista to a new Learning Management System (LMS) – Connect. The new system has the same features as WebCT Vista – and many more! Connect will be UBC’s integrated, collaborative online learning space into the future.
A pilot of the new system launched in January of this year with a number of courses in many faculties taking part. Feedback from faculty and students on Connect has been enthusiastic, including:
Although I’ve used Vista extensively, I wish I had attended training on the new LMS prior to the pilot. Because things on the surface looked similar, I didn’t realize how different the two systems really are.
Jackie Stewart
Instructor, Chemistry, Faculty of Science
In the Pharmacy Management (PHAR 400) course I coordinate, the discussion boards are particularly useful. The new learning system alerts participants by email if they choose to subscribe to one or more threads. This feature helps to engage students in the discussion and lets them know when there is a new posting in an area of interest, without the need to log in unnecessarily just to check if there is anything new in a particular group of postings. Although there is a learning curve to use and incorporate the new capabilities, the transition over to this system is well worth it.
Dr. Alan Low
Clinical Associate Professor and Course Coordinator, PHAR 400 (Pharmacy Management), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
I’ve received some positive feedback from the students about the new LMS. They said it works better on their handheld devices (like iPad’s and iPhone’s) compared to Vista and they like the cleaner lay out. I haven’t heard any negative comments and all the students seem to be adapting well.
As an instructor, I find it’s easier to manipulate the materials (thanks to the click and drag feature). It’s quite similar to Vista so there wasn’t a steep learning curve and I’ll be exploring some of the other functions next term.
Tony Seet
Instructor/Lecturer, PHAR 202, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
In May 2012 (Summer Session, 2012-13), the project team will begin to phase in Connect over two academic years with WebCT Vista officially retired by the summer of 2014. Check with your Faculty’s Instructional Support Centre or visit the CTLT Events website for information on upcoming workshops on the new system.
For more information on the LMS Pilot, please contact Donna Scalzo, CTLT’s Strategist, Teaching & Learning System Implementation at donna.scalzo@ubc.ca or visit www.lms.ubc.ca.