The University of Zurich’s (UZH) learning management system, OLAT, is a central hub for students and faculty alike, providing a platform for online learning, course materials, and academic progress tracking. OLAT, which stands for Online Learning and Training, is strategically implemented across all faculties within the university, offering a versatile approach to education. Understanding how to access and utilize OLAT is crucial for anyone involved with UZH’s academic programs.
For students and instructors at the University of Zurich, navigating the digital landscape of course management often begins with OLAT. The system facilitates the delivery of content, supports innovative online learning formats, and streamlines the organization of learning processes. Developed at UZH itself, OLAT is continually refined to meet the evolving needs of the academic community. The platform’s importance is underscored by the dedicated support and consulting services available through the Central IT department, specifically the E-Learning & Examination team (MELS). More information about OLAT and support resources can be found on the UZH Central IT website.
Accessing OLAT and Common Issues
The primary access point for OLAT is lms.uzh.ch. However, users occasionally encounter issues, particularly related to unsaved form data. The system displays a warning message – “Attention! You have not saved this form yet. By clicking Do not save data you will exit the form without saving. Changes you made on this page will be lost” – when a form has been started but not completed. This is a standard safeguard to prevent accidental data loss. Users are prompted to either “Back to form” to save their progress or “Do not save data” to discard changes, and exit. The OLAT homepage too presents this message, indicating a common user experience.
Login or registration problems are directed to the UZH support website at https://www.zi.uzh.ch/en/support.htm. The E-Learning & Examination team provides assistance with a range of issues, including application questions, functionality explanations, course planning, and optimization of existing courses. Support is available via appointment booking, email ([email protected]), and telephone (044 634 02 02). However, telephone support has specific availability windows: February 3rd to February 27th, 2025, and September 1st to September 25th, 2025, both Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
OLAT Functionality and Course Registration
OLAT’s functionality extends beyond simple content delivery. It’s designed to promote learning progress through innovative online formats and to support the overall organization of learning. The system is used for a variety of purposes, including providing course materials, administering assessments, and facilitating communication between instructors and students. Registration for UZH members is available directly through the platform, while auditors and participants in continuing education courses have a separate registration process. Campus courses and Kaltura (for videos and recordings) are also integrated with OLAT, enhancing the learning experience.
The University of Zurich emphasizes the strategic importance of OLAT as its primary learning management system. This commitment is reflected in the ongoing development and refinement of the platform, ensuring it remains a valuable tool for both educators and learners. The system’s versatility allows for a wide range of applications, catering to the diverse needs of UZH’s academic community. The Central IT department’s dedicated support team plays a vital role in ensuring smooth operation and providing assistance to users.
Support and Training Resources
The E-Learning & Examination team at UZH Central Informatics (MELS) offers comprehensive support for OLAT users. Consultations can be scheduled online for personalized assistance. In addition to direct support, UZH provides training courses designed to help users maximize their use of OLAT. A specific course, “OLAT for Course Authors,” is available through the ZI Training platform. This training is geared towards instructors who want to effectively design and deliver courses within the OLAT environment.
The support team addresses a wide range of topics, including solving application problems, explaining individual functionalities, recommending best practices, consulting on course planning, and optimizing existing courses. This holistic approach ensures that users have the resources they need to succeed with OLAT. The availability of both individual consultations and structured training courses demonstrates UZH’s commitment to supporting its academic community in the effective use of this essential learning management system.
Direct Links and Further Information
For quick access to key resources, UZH provides several direct links:
- OLAT Login
- Registration for UZH members
- Registration for auditors and participants of continuing education courses
- Campus courses (link not provided in source)
- Kaltura (Videos/Recordings) (link not provided in source)
The University of Zurich’s OLAT system remains a cornerstone of its educational infrastructure, providing a robust and versatile platform for learning and teaching. The ongoing development and dedicated support ensure that OLAT continues to meet the evolving needs of the UZH academic community. The next scheduled update regarding support availability will be released on the UZH Central IT website in late August 2025, detailing the hours of operation for the autumn semester.
We encourage readers to share their experiences with OLAT and to contribute to the discussion in the comments section below. Your feedback is valuable as the University of Zurich continues to refine and improve its learning management system.
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