The WebCT Replacement Project reached a major milestone on May 31 when the university issued a request for proposals (RFP) to replace the WebCT learning management system (LMS).

The document is based on the needs assessment report that was released in March by the project team. That report concluded that "flexibility" should be the "overarching principle" characterizing SFU's next-generation LMS. It defined flexibility as "the availability of options, the ease of choice and use of options, the range and diversity of applications, adaptability and capacities for customization, and the extensibility of the LMS to smartly adapt to new and emerging technologies and teaching and learning approaches."

The report also suggested that "the agenda, values, and practices of teaching and learning should drive the determination and ongoing development of a [learning management system] at SFU."

The closing date for submissions is June 28. The RFP document is available on the www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca website and also here.

Once a short list of candidates has been identified, testing of candidate systems will be carried out by faculty, staff, and student volunteers during the summer months to help determine how well each system meets the requirements of the SFU academic community.