Changes to Wimba/Blackboard Collaborate services
21 Aug 2012
The University has been reviewing its contract for the Wimba/Blackboard Collaborate Suite.
The current Wimba licence is due to expire on 31 January 2013.
The Suite includes the following tools:
- Classroom – provides a live, virtual classroom environment that includes audio, video, application sharing and content display and MP4 capabilities.
- Blackboard Instant Messaging (formerly Wimba Pronto) – provides an enterprise-wide instant messaging service that includes desktop video conferencing and VoIP audio.
- Wimba Voice – provides a voice authoring component that includes the following individual tools
o Voice Presentation – add web content alongside vocal messages.
o Voice Board – post and listen to voice messages within discussion boards.
o Voice Podcaster – create or upload podcasts.
o Voice Email – send and listen to voice through email messages.
o Voice Recording – record and listen to voice on a web page. - Wimba Create – allows users to easily convert Microsoft Word documents into content for their online courses.
As part of this contract review, a project was initiated to:
- Investigate current usage levels of the Wimba Suite;
- Understand user requirements in terms of online communication/collaboration tools;
- Identify if the current set of tools is meeting the needs of users;
- Establish whether the University is achieving good value for money with the Wimba tools.
The evidence from the review [available from TLSO: MLE Strategy Group] shows that the level of uptake of the Wimba tools across the University is very low. As a consequence, the University is achieving poor value for money from its current institutional-level licence. Based on the qualitative feedback from staff, there are only two tools within the suite that have strong support: Wimba Voice and Wimba Create. Moreover, these tools are primarily used by defined small groups of users across the institution.
The Manchester Learning Environment (MLE) Strategy Group, which has governance over the University’s eLearning applications, has reviewed the findings of the project and has recommended the following:
| Product | Recommendation | Suggested replacement(s) |
| Wimba Classroom | This tool should be discontinued from 1 February 2013. | Built-in Virtual Classroom tool in Bb9; Microsoft Lync; and other platforms as suggested by the eLearning Teams on an individual basis. |
| Blackboard Instant Messaging (formerly Wimba Pronto) | This tool should be discontinued from 1 February 2013. | Built-in Chat tool within Bb9. |
| Wimba Voice | Renegotiate a smaller-scale licence to reflect actual usage figures. | The Wimba Voice tools will continue to be available to current users. |
| Wimba Create | Renegotiate a smaller-scale licence to reflect actual usage figures. | Wimba Create will continue to be available to current users. |
Wimba Classroom and BbIM will continue to be available until the licence expires in January 2013. The BbIM client will also continue to be available as part of the managed desktop until January 2013. In preparation for the switch-off of Classroom and BbIM in Semester 2, staff are encouraged to contact their Faculty eLearning Teams (elearning@manchester.ac.uk) now to discuss possible alternatives.
An agreement has been reached with Blackboard to secure smaller licences for Wimba Create and the Wimba Voice tools. These tools will continue to be able to current users.
For further information and support, contact your eLearning team at: