To install the latest version of Blackboard, the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) will upgrade UMBC's production Blackboard system from January 8 to 10, 2014. During this time, Winter 2014 Bb courses will run on a separate Bb server and be created by December 4, 2013. After the WT2014 semester is completed (and the SP2014 semester is started), Winter courses will be migrated to the new production Bb server, typically by the end of Spring Break.
As always, for on-demand video-demos, short text tips & answers to UMBC's most frequently asked questions about Blackboard, click on the "Blackboard Help" tab inside UMBC's Blackboard system or visit www.umbc.edu/blackboard/help, which is part of a larger FAQ knowledge base at www.umbc.edu/faq.
Currently, we are running version 9.1.9 and plan to upgrade to version 9.1.13 (depending on what version is available in October when the Winter server is built). In addition to staying current with Bb's latest release, the latest version of Bb will give us access to several new features that include the following:
- Integrating the course with external calendars, including Google Calendar;
- The ability to run Item Analysis on Tests
- Improvements to the Content Editor
- Use of the new xpLlor external content tool that pulls in content from anywhere (available in summer)
- Enterprise Surveys and Course Evaluations.
Before the upgrade, anyone can see how these features look and function now by trying out a demo instance on the free coursesites.blackboard.com:
- Go to coursesites.blackboard.com to create your own free course; or
- Go to this same site to view our UMBC Bb Demo site and browse, self-enroll or login as a student.
- If you want instructor access to the UMBC Bb Demo site, you can do so by submitting an "online learning" request via rt.umbc.edu.
After the upgrade, DoIT will provide face-to-face and online "Bb Drop In" sessions. We also are very willing to support cohort-based training for departments that can assure a minimum of four (4) faculty and/or staff will be present (dates & times TBD). To request cohort training, submit an "online learning" request via rt.umbc.edu. Please use “Bb Cohort Training Request” in the subject line.
As always, for on-demand video-demos, short text tips & answers to UMBC's most frequently asked questions about Blackboard, click on the "Blackboard Help" tab inside UMBC's Blackboard system or visit www.umbc.edu/blackboard/help, which is part of a larger FAQ knowledge base at www.umbc.edu/faq.
