The University of Cambridge does not yet endorse any Virtual Learning Environment.

CBCL has licensed one of the leading commercial products (Blackboard) and can host courses for the University.

CBCL will offer this service through to the end of academic year 2004/2005. By that time we expect the University to have adopted a 'preferred' platform and that most courses will have transferred to that platform. If this does not happen, CBCL will consider extending the Blackboard service.

The intention is to provide an opportunity for staff or departments interested in trying out Virtual Learning Environments with an opportunity to create and deliver courses from a 'local' resource without the cost of acquiring and supporting a VLE and without waiting for the University to adopt an 'official' platform. Those who use this service will be better informed regarding the ways in which VLE's can support their course delivery and will be better able to steer the University's platform choices.

CBCL estimates the first year costs of establishing this service at £50,000. We will be seeking to recover those costs by charging users £1,500 per annum for a full hosting service. If we recover our costs, we will reduce prices to new users and make refunds to existing users to redistribute the burden. We will carry the risk of not recovering costs and will continue to support the service until the end of academic year 2004/2005 regardless of cost.

Those who know Blackboard will be aware that you can publish a course on their site. This was free, but now costs $295 after 60 days. We expect to offer better responsiveness than the Blackboard site by connecting directly to the University Network (the server will be located at CARET) and providing a server dedicated to the University of Cambridge.

For further information, contact CBCL to find out more about this service or Rhiannon Williams at CARET to discuss online course development.