Otago’s new learning management system (Aoroa) took out the Excellence Award at the Tertiary ICT Conference recently. Celebrating the win are, from left, Alice La Rooy, David Gadsby and Joel Davies, supported by staff from Digital Services and AskOtago.
A focus on inclusivity and accessibility has earned the team behind Otago’s new learning management system (Aoroa) the Excellence Award at the Tertiary ICT Conference.
The team beat ten other entries from across Aotearoa, earning recognition for its submission Every Learner, Every Paper, which demonstrated the team’s commitment to shaping a system that meets the needs of Otago’s diverse student community.
Project Manager David Gadsby says the win validates a decision the team made at the very beginning of the project – to treat equity and inclusion as a foundation rather than a workstream.
“We took universal design principles, student and staff feedback, and te ao Māori concepts as the whakapapa layer and created a learning experience unique to Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and welcoming for all in the community. That vision was grounded in serving Te Ara Akitu (The Learner Success Plan), supporting the Disability Action Plan, and ultimately working to support the University’s goals under Pae Tata.”
Digital Learning Environment Programme Manager Alice La Rooy says the win acknowledges the work the team has done on ensuring accessibility is key across both content and culture.
“Aoroa gives students greater choice in how they access and engage with learning materials. For example, many of the course resources can be converted into formats such as audio (MP3), enhanced HTML, translated text, EPUB for e-readers and electronic braille, giving students greater flexibility to learn in ways that work for them.”
“We wanted to create an environment where students could feel a genuine sense of belonging." – David Gadsby
To date, there have been around 16,500 downloads of alternative format resources, showing that students are actively using these options to study in the way that best fits their lifestyle and learning needs. The overall accessibility score for Aoroa is around 72%, meaning nearly three quarters of the digital course content currently meets best-practice standards, such as readable text contrast and screen-reader compatibility. For students, this translates to a smoother, more inclusive, and barrier-free learning experience.
That focus on accessibility is embodied by the entire project team, David says.
“We wanted to create an environment where students could feel a genuine sense of belonging. The award is testament to the team’s work in creating a digital space where everyone can see themselves reflected within it and where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
"It also reflects the collaborative work across multiple teams, including digital, who continue to support and champion the project.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor James Maclaurin, says the team’s commitment to students and teaching staff has been evident throughout the transition to Aoroa.
“In meeting after meeting, I have witnessed firsthand the commitment that Alice, David, and the whole team have made to ensuring students are at the heart of the University’s transition to Aoroa.
"I also know how much they have invested in working with our teaching staff. This award is an entirely fitting recognition of their people-focused mahi.”