The University is looking into possible replacements for Vital, our current Virtual Learning Environment or VLE and we’d like your feedback on which system you like best.
In April 2019, a competitive tender process was started aiming to transform our VLE. The tender process has now closed and the following three shortlisted suppliers will be coming on campus to ‘showcase’ their platform to staff and students at a series of VLE clinics:
- D2L – Desire 2 Learn (Brightspace)
- Blackboard
- Instructure (Canvas)
During each clinic, you can expect to find out more about each platform’s functionality, features and potential plus you will have an opportunity to get ‘hands-on’ and use the new platform for yourself. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided too.
At the end of each session, you will be asked to give feedback to the VLE Project Team. While this feedback will not be formally considered as part of the tender process, it will be used to cross reference the different platforms against specific tender requirements.
It’s a decade since the University last reviewed its VLE, making these clinics an opportunity to get involved in shaping the University’s digital learning landscape.
Reserve your place now
Clinics will be running on 18th June, 24th June and 27th June, with each supplier delivering a morning and afternoon session on the same day. If you want to attend a clinic by all of the shortlisted suppliers, make sure you reserve a place on each clinic over the three days.
Places at each clinic are limited, and will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. So you are advised to reserve your place as soon as possible.
To book your place, click on the relevant links below:
- Desire to Learn (Brightspace) supplier clinics
- Blackboard supplier clinics
- Instructure (Canvas) supplier clinics
Bring your own devices
If you do manage to get a place at the clinics, please make sure you bring along your phone, laptop, iPad or tablet so you can see how the different platforms work on your own devices.
In order to do this, you will need to be connected to Eduroam, which provides a secure Wi-Fi connection to the University network. More information is available here
Can’t get a place? Then watch online
If you can’t get a place or are unable to attend the clinics, you can still find out more about each of the potential new suppliers by watching their presentations on your computer. You will also be able to ask any questions that you may have using the online chat functionality.
You will be watching the presentations live, so please make sure you log on using your University username and password in good time so you don’t miss anything.
- Desire to Learn (Brightspace) supplier clinics:
- Blackboard supplier clinics:
- Instructure (Canvas) supplier clinics:
We are using Adobe Connect to show the presentations and recommend that you choose Google Chrome rather than Explorer as your internet browser. If you want to watch via a mobile device you will need to download the Adobe Connect App.