In three weeks the live Blackboard system will be upgraded to Blackboard 9. Below are some key questions staff have asked about this upgrade.
When is the upgrade?
The upgrade will be on the evening of Friday 2 July, and Blackboard will not be available during that evening. Blackboard will also be at risk during the next day, meaning it may be unavailable for parts of 3 July.
How will the upgrade affect my students?
Students will not be able to access Blackboard during the upgrade period itself (the evening of 2 July). There will be a slight change to the appearance of Blackboard sites for students currently being taught (2009/10 and earlier sites), though the content and structure will remain the same to provide continuity to the student experience.
What do I need do to for the upgrade?
You do not need to copy any materials or otherwise change Blackboard sites which are being used by students this summer, including TARC and TESOL sites and sites for students doing referrals. You may want to help prepare your students for the upgrade by pointing them at the available guide (see below). The staff interface has changed more significantly than the student interface, so we recommend staff involved with students in the summer engage with Blackboard 9 ahead of the upgrade to become familiar with the new interface.
What support is available for my students?
Blackboard site content and site structure will remain untouched though there will be a slight change in appearance. To help students understand the changes, a guide will be available on shuspace ahead of the upgrade. You can also link to it from an announcement in your Blackboard site or email it directly to your students as well. The web address for the guide is: https://bbcrm.edusupportcenter.com/FileManagement/Download/ca6ce2984de641d9b80e1590c7dbcf04/FileManagement/Download/ca6ce2984de641d9b80e1590c7dbcf04
Students can access a Blackboard self-help knowledge base at http://bb-help.shu.ac.uk. The contents of the knowledge base will change to reflect Blackboard 9 after the upgrade. As always, students can receive technical help with using Blackboard in person at learning centre help desks or via phone/email with Advisory.
What support is available for me?
There are ongoing sessions focused on understanding Blackboard 9 and preparing your 2010/11 Blackboard sites. There are also online guides and video tutorials explaining the key changes in Blackboard 9. Staff are able to login to the Blackboard 9 Site Development System until 25 June to understand how it works and start preparing their 2010/11 Blackboard sites. We recommend staff engage with Blackboard 9 before the upgrade. However there will also be some sessions available the week of 5 July aimed at any staff teaching this summer who want additional support immediately after the upgrade (more information on dates and times closer to the upgrade).
The Bb-support tab in shuspace will have more support options and information after the upgrade to Blackboard 9 as well. It will contain access to phone/email support with using Blackboard 9, a self-help knowledge base with step-by-step instructions on using Blackboard 9, links to key guides and video tutorials, and information about upcoming sessions and other e-learning news. To preview the new Bb-support tab, access it inside the Blackboard 9 Site Development System.
