Upgrading from WebCTto Blackboard Learn

Upgrade UpdateApril 2011

Technology Facilitated LearningAccess and Distributed LearningUniversity of Ulster

Aims

• To outline the key elements of the upgrade process.

• To highlight the support that will be available to help you with the transition.

• To outline how the transition will impact on you.

Raising Awareness

• Upgrading from WebCT to Blackboard Learn 9.1• Switchover is planned for September 2011 (all courses taught in Blackboard Learn from Sept 11 onwards)

• Benefits of Blackboard Learn

(Promotional postcard)

Transition Information

Online Information Point that provides up to date information to help you during the transition process, including:

• Transition timeline• Availability of Live System and your migrated courses• New tools, functionality and opportunities• Training & support that is available• Governance of the process• Access to the Bb Learn Test Environment• Send us your questions / FAQs

Blackboard Learn Information Point Website http://www.ulster.ac.uk/bbinfo

• Latest News• Training & Support• Transition Approach• Questions / FAQs

Transition Timeline (handout)

• Key aspects of Upgrade• Bb Learn Live System and migrated Semester One 2010/11

modules are now available - http://blackboard.ulster.ac.uk• Staff can review and prepare their migrated content for

the new academic year from March to Sept 2011• Training & support*

• Welcome to Bb Learn Lecture – Mar & Apr 2011• 2 X Blackboard Learn Skills Workshop – May to Sept 2011• Teaching and Learning Themed Workshops – AY 2011/12• Blackboard Learn Course Support Area – April 2011

*Tailored training solutions can be requested by faculty/school/dept• Risks

• VLE Upgrade Board is actively managing the risks associated with the upgrade.

Migration Checklist (handout)

Nine Tasks to Complete• Log file, course menu, course tools, dates and times (adaptive

release), links, assessment rules, course content*, course enhancements, request module access***Promote compliance with Ulster Copyright Guidelines**Rollover of content to AY 2011/12, with CRNs

Possible Course Enhancement• Monitor student engagement (dashboards/alerts/EWS),

communication (blogs, journals, wikis), group work/collaboration (Groups tool), self and peer review (Self and Peer Assessment tool), audio feedback (Wimba Voice Tools), assessing learners (Grade Centre, MyGrades, Smart Views), interactive course content (Mashups), staff efficiency (reuse items), beyond the VLE (Mobile, Email).

Blackboard Learn Test Environment

Ulster Blackboard Learn Test Environment is available to staff, to let you become familiar with the environment.

• Drag n drop configurable interface• Bb Learn Support Courses

• Sample Orientation Area (Download Activities)• Assessment and Feedback (Download Worksheet)

• Sample migrated courses from WebCT• Create your own course – Course Creation Wizard• Notifications Dashboard – Alerts, What’s New, To Do, etc

Blackboard Learn Test Environment http://bblearn.ulster.ac.uk

• Support courses• Migrated courses• Course creation

wizard• Announcements

Drag n Drop interface

Instructor view – Needs Attention, Alerts, What’s NewStudent view – To Do, What’s New

Early Warning System functionality can highlight vulnerable students

1. Content2. Course Menu3. Control Panel4. Edit Mode (ON/OFF)

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Assessment and Feedback Course Support Area – underpinned by good practice.(Note – Configurable course menu, listed content items.)

Mashups – embed interactive

web content from YouTube, SlideShare and Flickr.

Blackboard Mobile LearnGiving students and instructors access to their courses and content on a

variety of devices*.

*Including iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Palm smartphones.

Further Information

Ask a Question using the Bb Learn Info Point (FAQs)http://wiki.ulster.ac.uk/display/bbip/Send+us+your+Questions

Blackboard Learn Information Pointhttp://www.ulster.ac.uk/bbinfo

Blackboard Learn Live Systemhttp://blackboard.ulster.ac.uk

Blackboard Learn Test Environmenthttp://bblearn.ulster.ac.uk