Manipal University Jaipur (Online)

The Challenge

Rapidly Scaling Online Learning Without Compromising Quality 

In 2020, Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) began its journey to establish a robust digital learning ecosystem. This meant finding and implementing a new LMS that met the diverse needs of its learners and instructors while maintaining its high academic standards, national accreditation requirements and reputation as a leading institution.

As online learning experienced a surge in adoption, the institution was faced with an urgent need to scale without compromising operational performance. Learners needed to have reliable access to the system, accommodating those in both urban and rural locations. Instructors needed to have consistent access to tools that could maintain the quality of education and administrators were facing the pressure of ensuring a smooth transition.

The technological literacy of learners varied, requiring a system that was accessible to all levels of students and instructors. It was also paramount to choose a system that embraced engagement for students and faculty communicating in an online environment. Learners needed to be able to track their progress in real time, easily submit assignments and receive related feedback, and stay connected with their peers through discussions and activities. Instructors needed advanced tools to help bridge the gap between virtual and in-person learning, enabling them to create engaging content, build a sense of community and provide feedback for academic success.

On top of MUJ’s high academic expectations, the institution was also required to meet the approach to online education outlined by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in order to meet national standards. This meant creating online content that was compliant with the standards, while remaining accessible and engaging.

Solution

Bridging the Gap Between In-Person and Online Learning 

When it came to addressing all the challenges faced by MUJ while making the switch to online learning, D2L Brightspace was the winning solution. The platform’s innovative features, cloud-based infrastructure and ability to meet regulatory standards helped establish the base the institution needed to seamlessly scale online learning.

Brightspace was able to tackle the growth without disruption, no matter where the learner was located.

“We have 2,000 towns where the LMS has to be available anytime, anywhere for the student,” explained Dr. Mallikarjuna, adding that in the last five years, he’s never had a student say they haven’t been able to access the LMS.

The LMS’s user-friendly interface offered options for students of all levels of digital literacy, with features like real-time progress tracking, assignment submissions and multimedia content delivery. Faculty members had the content creation tools and interactive learning design options they needed to continue creating engaging, high-quality online courses.

“Brightspace played a very critical role in ensuring that Manipal University Jaipur is a credible online degree provider from India,” said Dr. Mallikarjuna, as faculty and staff can use the platform’s rich interface and features to design programs that replicate the in-person learning experience.

For example, teachers will pre-record videos to simulate in-person lectures. Online self-learning materials are akin to physical textbooks, where students can watch videos, read the material and ask questions on the discussion forum. Brightspace’s real-time notifications helped to keep students on track with their coursework and assignments, helping to ensure students didn’t fall behind.

Diverse assessment options—like quizzes and tests, peer evaluations and assignments—allowed faculty to connect and engage with students digitally. Using these tools, instructors were able to provide timely, actionable feedback and another avenue to help learners stay on track.

Result

Setting a Benchmark for Excellence in Online Learning

MUJ saw an unprecedented increase in the adoption of Brightspace because of students’ high satisfaction levels, scaling from zero to 85,000 users—without compromising performance.

Learner engagement saw an increase with the interactive discussion forums leading to a rise in participation rates by 30%. Real-time notifications—like alerts for assignments and deadlines—kept students engaged with their workload and contributed to a 15% increase in course completion rates.

Instructors were able to use metrics like attendance, participation and performance to identify and support students when they needed it, improving the average academic performance by 10%. Faculty also saved 30% of their time by taking advantage of automated grading for objective assignments. Administrators were able to automate routine tasks, reducing their workloads by 40%. Data on platform usage and learner outcomes was also used to inform program options and the allocation of resources.

Overall, the success MUJ is experiencing with Brightspace has positioned them as a leader in online education. The model the institution has established shows value through its replicability, helping other institutions navigate the complex world of online learning. MUJ and Brightspace have partnered to create a successful online learning space on a grand scale, setting a benchmark for innovation and excellence in digital learning.

“I always say the LMS is the heart of the entire online education,” said Dr. Mallikarjuna. “Today’s generation is born and brought up on actual devices. The best way to teach them is how they have grown up. So that’s where giving this option of an LMS to the regular students, it’ll help us allow the students to learn in their own way.”