In July 2010 we will be upgrading to Blackboard 9. This post tells you what will happen prior to the upgrade and what you need to know now.

From 12th April a Blackboard 9 Site Development System will be available for you to become familiar with the new system, and to develop your sites for 2010/11. This system will not be visible to students.

In the Site Development System, blank sites will be set up for each of your 2010/11 modules and organisations. In addition, there will be copies of your existing 2009/10 sites. A tool will enable you to copy content that remains relevant for the year ahead into the blank 2010/11 sites from the 2009/10 sites.

The copied sites will automatically become available in the Blackboard 9 Site Development System in two batches:

• By default, Semester 1 modules and organisation sites will be copied from 26 March, and will be available in the Site Development System from 12 April.
• By default, Semester 2 modules, long thin modules and others will be copied from 7 May, and will be available in the Site Development System from 17 May.

You don’t need to do anything now until we make the Blackboard 9 Site Development System available, UNLESS you wish to change the default dates that your sites are copied.

If you decide to change the default copy dates, you must do so by 12.00 midday on 26 March.

How do I change the dates that my 2009/10 sites are copied?
Why would I want to change the dates?

Find out more about the upgrade process on the Frequently Asked Questions page, including an overview of the upgrade with key dates, and information about how you will be able to prepare your sites for 2010/11.