Help shape the future of SmartSite via survey, May 23 showcase

If you've ever had an opinion about SmartSite, now is a good time to share it. A new survey is collecting ideas on what the campus needs from a learning management system (LMS) going forward, and a free showcase with three LMS vendors is scheduled May 23 in the Memorial Union.

SmartSite, which runs on Sakai software, has been the main academic learning management system at UC Davis for most of the last decade. A project committee is evaluating options to power SmartSite in the future, and intends to test two or three candidates in a pilot phase this fall.

The survey is open to everyone on campus. So is the showcase, where you can meet the vendors, ask questions, and provide feedback that will inform the future of SmartSite.

The showcase is scheduled for Friday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in MU II. The hosts are David Levin, director of Academic Technology Services for Information and Educational Technology; and Andy Jones, associate director for ATS, lecturer in the University Writing Program, and founder of The Wheel academic technology blog. Light refreshments will be served.

The agenda:

  • 9: Introduction
  • 9:15: Presentation by Asahi Net International, current host for Sakai in SmartSite
  • 10:30: Presentation by Desire2Learn
  • 11:45: Meet and greet with vendors
  • 1:15: Presentation by Canvas
  • 2:30: Closing and evaluation

    • "We want involvement and feedback from people who use the campus learning management system. If that includes you, we hope you can attend the event," said Constance Fuller, LMS project manager. "And please, take the survey. The feedback is invaluable."

    Tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff have used SmartSite over the years to teach, learn, share materials, and work on projects.

    Please send any questions or comments to Fuller at cifuller@ucdavis.edu