A star rising over the horizon of a planet with the words Project Nova Phase 1 in large white letters over it

The sun is setting on Pearson LearningStudio (eCollege) and rising on D2L Brightspace.

The University's journey to D2L Brightspace, our new Learning Management System (LMS), encompasses:

LMS selection [completed and determined to be D2L Brightspace],
Project team/D2L implementation planning stage [now engaged]
Software implementation,
Migration of course content, and
Training.

This journey is otherwise known as Project NOVA.

Don't fear the unknown, uncharted territory! This website has been launched for you, our TAMUC faculty, as a means of keeping you informed of the status of the various stages of this complex project. Here you will find information as the various stages of the project unfold, with access to the resources you need to become a fully acclimated citizen of our new home...D2L Brightspace.

Please Note: These items do not migrate to D2L Brightspace from eCollege.

Not sure if you should migrate a course or build it new in D2L? Check out this document for guidance!

Email ProjectNOVA@tamuc.edu with questions or comments.

Updates

Click to Expand Updates
- - April 20th, 2017 - Phase 1 of Migration to D2L Brightspace Begins!
  - November 16^th – Contract negotiations/discussions continue with LMS vendor; negotiations moving smoothly
  - Beginning week of November 7^th – CFEI Course Design & Development preparing Master Course Storage Shell example in Pearson LearningStudio.
  - Week of October 31^st – Meeting with College Deans to discuss Master Course Storage Shells and Leads; Deans requested to work as they deem appropriate to collect names of Master Course Storage Shell Leads for use in further considerations and planning of the migration of courses. Requested return date – November 18^th.
  - October 26^th – LMS Selection Committee released from their responsibilities in that an LMS recommendation has been made to the Provost and accepted by the Provost.
  - September 12^th – During the month of September, three vendors will be on campus demonstrating their LMS to the LMS Selection Committee as well as representative staff and students.
    1. D2L Brightspace – September 13^th
    2. Blackboard Learn – September 22^nd
    3. Instructure Canvas – September 28^th
    Those attending the demonstrations will submit a strengths/weaknesses summary at the close of the demo. The strengths/weaknesses will be combined into one strengths/weaknesses document for review by the LMS Selection Committee Sub-Group members previously appointed to represent their college/unit. Those members are as follows:
    1. Beth Jones
    2. Frannie Miller
    3. Kurtis Williams
    4. Rafael Bakhtavoryan
    5. Sean Anderson
    6. Carlos Rivers
    7. Donna Smith
    8. Julie McElhany
    Following the completion of the demos, the LMS Selection Committee Sub-Group members will independently submit their recommendation of LMS choice to include strengths/weaknesses rationale. The recommendations will be tabulated and shared with the Interim Provost for final decision making.
  - July 18^th - The RFP vendor submission date has closed. Representing their college/unit, LMS Selection Task Force representatives will use the developed scoring tool to evaluate the submitted RFP bids in paper-based form. The top 2-3 vendors will be invited to campus for vendor demos during the weeks of September 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th.
  - June 30^th - Dr. Benavides appointed individuals from the LMS Selection Task Force to represent each college and unit of the task force. These individuals will represent the interests of their academic college or unit in developing the scoring tool to be used in scoring the RFP submissions. Appointed representatives are:
    1. Beth Jones
    2. Frannie Miller
    3. Kurtis Williams
    4. Doug LaVergne
    5. Sean Anderson
    6. Carlos Rivers
    7. Donna Smith
    8. Julie McElhany
  - June 2nd - The Learning Management System (LMS) RFP package has been posted. It is viewable at http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/bid_show.cfm?bidid=124885. Click RFP Timeline to view next RFP steps.
  - May 16^th – LMS Selection Task Force working session to review TAMUC RFP.
  - April 28^th – LMS project announced by Provost Benavides as ProjectNOVA. Development of a ProjectNOVA website was announced. Site to go live within the week. Provost noted that System institutions operate autonomously in the selection of an LMS to meet each member’s unique needs. Task Force Members selected a RFP model to use as the framework for the TAMUC RFP. Members to make comments and suggestions on the TAMUC RFP working copy by May 15^th. A tentative proposed timeline is to be developed and shared with the task force members. Provost Benavides shared that the University will support one LMS. Upon task force member agreement, the TAMUC RFP will be posted for 30 days. RFP submissions by vendors will be evaluated using a type of rubric with weighted measures.
  - April 4^th – LMS Selection Task Force members met for first time. Provost Benavides, Chair, tasked members with providing 5-10 LMS requirements. Requirements submitted via a shared with task force members via network folder. Travis Ball to provide RFP examples through the shared network folder.
  - March 30-April 8^th – CFEI held LMS Pre-Selection Open Forums for faculty (two interactive face-to-face forums, one virtual evening forum, and an online questionnaire) – opportunities for faculty to provide input into features and functions beneficial to them. Data collected will be shared with the LMS Selection Task Force. A student questionnaire administered during this time frame as well. Data collected shared with Task Force.
  - March 3^rd – Provost Adolfo Benavides announced to the University faculty community that the a new LMS would be selected, and that a LMS Selection Task Force would be appointed.