LMS Study Initiative
Overview
The Learning Management System (LMS) Study is a University-wide initiative to measure the efficacy of and satisfaction with the University LMS. Our current LMS is called Courses (powered by Sakai). While Courses remains an active and useful platform, it is important for Pepperdine to periodically assess its learning management system for future growth and improvement. We want to provide our students, faculty, and staff with a feature-rich solution for traditional, hybrid, and online teaching formats. To this end, the Technology & Learning team routinely partners with our faculty and University leadership to assess the community's satisfaction with the Courses LMS, generate ideas to improve the platform, and facilitate comparisons with alternate systems.
Background
More than a decade ago, Pepperdine University selected Courses (powered by Sakai) as its learning management system (LMS). Since 2011, the platform has served Pepperdine well. Between 2018 and 2020, the University conducted an LMS study, focusing on community satisfaction with the functionality of Courses. While the study was concluded earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community's feedback was highly favorable regarding Courses; TechLearn concluded the study, and the University renewed its agreement through July 31, 2025 to continue with Courses (powered by Sakai) as the primary LMS. Moving forward, Information Technology will continue to routinely assess LMS satisfaction on a 3-5 year cycle.
2024-2025 Study
Technology & Learning has recently initiated the most recent LMS Study. Driven by the University's needs to meet faculty and student satisfaction, academic program objectives, and LMS functionality to deliver content for traditional, hybrid, and fully online modalities, the study seeks feedback from our current students and faculty about Courses LMS. In addition, Pepperdine will launch an LMS pilot. We will be evaluating the Canvas LMS for fall 2024 and spring 2025.
The study is still in its early stages. More details will be posted as they become available. You may view the tentative timeline in the FAQ below.