Closing the Digication Chapter: UVA’s Learning Tech Transition

The ePortfolio tool Digication will be removed from the Learning Tech catalog in July 2025. At that time, students will no longer be able to access the tool; instructors will retain access through July 1, 2026. Given their impact, any changes to the catalog require careful consideration and review of the relevant data. Michael Palmer, the Barbara Fried Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and co-chair of the University Teaching and Learning Technology Committee (UTLT), joined us to discuss some aspects of this important process.

Q: What is UTLT?

Michael: The UTLT committee is tasked with establishing and nurturing a vibrant digital teaching and learning ecosystem guided by data-informed decision-making. UTLT oversees research, identification, piloting, acquisition, and integration of new learning technology; assessment and periodic review of existing learning technologies; and eventual sunsetting of tools. UTLT also oversees the development of Learning Tech, the University’s gateway to all licensed, third-party learning technologies residing outside of the learning management system.

Q: What is the process for adding new centrally funded tools to the UVA digital ecosystem?

Michael: There are five criteria that guide acquisition of new, centrally-funded learning technologies:

• • • Tools must fill a functional need not present elsewhere in the digital ecosystem.
    • Tools must clear all required approvals, which include a pedagogical review, security and privacy reviews, and an accessibility review.
    • Interest in tools must be widespread (i.e., across multiple schools) and expansive (i.e., interest from many instructors).
    • Tools must be cost-effective, either on a per-instructor or per-student basis.
    • Funding must be sufficient to renew licenses for at least three years.

Q: What is the process for retiring a centrally funded tool like Digication?

Michael: All tools go through periodic review. This involves the Learning Technology Advisory Board (LTAB), which is responsible for making recommendations on the renewal, discontinuation, integration, and adoption of third-party (non-LMS), institutionally-licensed learning technologies based on materials presented on data usage, cost, tool concerns, changes and a recommendation from the Assistant Director of Learning Technology management. Retirement is considered for tools that no longer meet 2-3 of the five original acquisition criteria.

Q: What were the reasons behind the retirement of Digication from the UVA digital ecosystem?

Michael: Digication has been in the UVA digital ecosystem for nearly a decade and supports instructors who use e-portfolios to help assess their students’ learning. Interest in the tool has declined steadily over the years and usage in the past year was limited to only a few departments in one school. In addition, Digication has an unusually high cost per instructor (and per student) compared to other tools. Because other licensed tools in our ecosystem can replicate most of Digication’s functionality—e.g., WordPress combined with the textual annotation tool, Hypothesis—UTLT made the decision to sunset Digication.

What resources are available to help with the retirement of Digication?

We recognize that changes such as losing access to a tool can be challenging for the UVA teaching community. To help instructors with the transition, we’ve compiled a set of  resources.

• To preserve your work:
  • Export ePortfolios: Digication allows users to export their ePortfolios as PDFs or HTML files. This feature can be accessed through the ePortfolio’s settings. Instructions on downloading ePortfolios.
  • Backup Files: Ensure all media, documents, and other files uploaded to Digication are backed up on your local storage or cloud services. 
  • For more information, refer to Digication’s Help Desk.
• FAQ for Students
• FAQ for Faculty & Staff
• Coming soon: Alternative tools to use in lieu of Digication