One of the projects at work that has been keeping me very busy is finally finished and in shape that I can talk about it publicly. The SUNY Learning Network is in the process of planning a transition to a new learning management platform, yet to be identified. We took this opportunity to get some input from the broader SUNY community on their needs, goals, and preferences.
A little background about that community:SUNY is 64-campus system with tremendous diversity. We have small, rural community colleges, R1 universities, and everything in between, plus some specialty campuses like medical schools, an opthemology school, and even the Fashion Institute of Technology. My institution, the SUNY Learning Network (SLN), is an opt-in program for the campuses that provides a learning management platform, training, research, operational support, and a bunch of other related stuff. About two-thirds of SUNY’s campuses currently participate in this program. SUNY Learning Environments (SLN’s parent organization) wanted to hear from core SLN members, staunch non-members, and fence-sitters alike about what they all need. Our goal was to envision the requirements for a common learning environment to serve all of SUNY. We pulled in twenty-odd members from a cross-section of campuses and roles on their respective campuses (and we lost a member or two along the way).
The task force only met in person 4 times. This was a quick, intense process. I was privileged to step in as moderator for the final two meetings.
The report has been finished and posted for a period of public comment. I think the group did a fantastic job of envisioning and articulating strategic imperatives. I invite you to read the report; it provides some rare insight into a large system like SUNY.