SPARK is the Learning Management System (LMS) used on the UMass Amherst campus for courses that require an online component. The software behind SPARK is Blackboard VIsta (formerly WebCT VIsta). Blackboard Inc. has announced that it will cease support for Blackboard Vista as of January 2013.
Here is the proposed timeline for the transition to a new LMS. Note that instructors will be able to switch to the new LMS as early as Fall 2011 or as late as Spring 2013.
2010 Summer
Meet with faculty & other groups to develop recommendations for a future LMS.
2010 Fall
Present reccomendations from committees to CIO for selection of the future LMS.
2011 Spring
Limited pilot of future LMS.
2011 Summer
Content conversion and training for fall pilot of future LMS.
2011 Fall
Pilot semester of future LMS.
2012 Spring
First full semester on future LMS.
2012 Summer
Content conversion and training for final exit from Vista.
2012 Fall
Last semester for teaching in Vista.
2013 Spring
Conversion of all courses to the future LMS is compete.
If you have questions or comments about this timeline , please contact futurelms@oit.umass.edu.