Trustees approve new learning management system contract

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue’s Board of Trustees approved on Friday (Aug. 2) an agreement with Desire2Learn (D2L) for its product, Brightspace, to become the university’s next systemwide learning management system.

The switch will offer both improved functionality for students and faculty and an expected $2.3 million in savings for the university over the next five years.

D2L Brightspace was selected after a comprehensive systemwide review and case study-based request for proposal process. The yearlong review incorporated input from over 1,200 faculty, staff and students to evaluate three RFP respondents.

The new learning management system will replace Blackboard Learn, Purdue’s current system, beginning in the fall of 2020. There will be no disruption to Blackboard Learn in the 2019-20 academic year.

“The broad participation and hard work of the faculty-led academic task forces on each campus, as well as the staff-led technology task force, resulted in a clear direction,” said Jenna Rickus, associate vice provost for teaching and learning. “The alignment in needs and preferences across the university system was a welcome surprise.”

An implementation plan for Brightspace will be developed during the fall 2019 semester. 

Source: Jay T. Akridge, akridge@purdue.edu