ARK Review (Jun 2024 - Mar 2025)
Context
The LMS (named ARK) is considered a key resource in the provision of learning and teaching across the University of Divinity. The LMS was deployed in 2014, with the view for a single, university-wide platform that would serve all colleges in their learning and teaching and provide a consistent experience to students studying units at one or more of the colleges. The University’s collegiate model is reflected in the design and implementation with each college having separate areas, themes, staffing and support. An integral part of the deployment was integration with the student management system so that administration of students, units and enrolments was automated. Another key integration was the adoption of Turnitin for assessment submissions, grading and academic integrity analysis. Upgrades to the core platform in 2018, 2020, and 2023 saw expansion of the base capabilities. The deployment of Zoom for synchronous video in 2020 supplemented the platform (switching away from two years use of BigBlueButton).
The governance of the LMS is through the Learning Management System Policy1 that came into effect in 2018. The Academic Board is responsible for the “design and development of the LMS” and a sub-committee, the Learning Environments Committee (LEC), is tasked with management. Part of LEC’s role is to provide recommendations to the Academic Board. This major review, to be undertaken every 5 years, is a key part of the strategic management of the LMS.
Objective
Within this context, this review seeks to evaluate the LMS and its use against the principles outlined in the LMS policy and ascertain its “fitness for purpose, value and suitability for current and future needs, overall design, and contractual arrangements with suppliers” (5.2.1).
The output of this review is “a report to the Academic Board including recommendations, if any, for the design and development of the LMS. This must clearly identify any budget requests to be made through the Academic Board to the Council” (5.2.3).
The report is intended to shape the priorities for system development and resourcing as well as student and staff support over the next 5 years.
Timeframe
The review will commence no later than 1 July 2024 and will present its findings to Learning Environments Committee and Academic Board no later than 31 March 2025. If the review identifies risks to quality it may provide a preliminary report and recommendations for immediate action to LEC by 12 November 2024.
Contact
If you would like further information about the review process or the survey, please contact the UD LMS Review Team at lms-review@divinity.edu.au.
FAQ
Does this mean that you are changing to another platform? No. This review seeks to determine to what extent ARK is fit for purpose. Where gaps are identified, plans and resources to address these will be recommended.