The current plan is to upgrade NYU Blackboard, NYU's most widely used learning management system (LMS), to version 8.0 and to have that version ready for new course sites in preparation for the Spring 2009 semester.
This upgrade will result in an LMS with improved performance and greater functionality, while ensuring continued technical support from Blackboard, Inc., the commercial software vendor from which the University licenses the software. Version 8.0 is currently the most up-to-date version of the software available which was released by Blackboard, Inc. in December 2007.
Much of the core functionality that the NYU community has grown to expect in the Blackboard system will remain but with several small enhancements. Instructors will continue to be able to upload a syllabus and course reading materials, email students, moderate discussion board forums, post announcements, administer tests and assignments, and track course grades. There will also be some wholly new functionality and interface changes that promise to make NYU Blackboard a more flexible and engaging LMS.
> For a more detailed list of new features and enhancements, see the New Features and Enhancements post.
The ITS Blackboard Team is working steadily to arrange support and training materials to help prepare the NYU community for this change.
> For more details about plans for support and training, see the Support and Training post.
One of the goals of the upgrade project is to accomplish this transition with as little impact and disruption as possible. To that end, the technical team is pursuing a "fresh install" upgrading strategy which will bring a new system live on a completely new hardware and then slowly transition away from the old system. This should minimize downtime and result in the most robust, best performing system possible.
> For more information about the technical plans for the upgrade, see the Technical Details post.
Comments (2)
Will the copying of existing course materials and or importing of the current version of BB work with the 8.0 version?
And when will it be available to faculty? Not quite clear if the learning/training will take place in the summer or in the Fall.
Posted by Donna | May 19, 2008 3:54 PM
Posted on May 19, 2008 15:54
Ensuring the smooth copying of course material from the current version to course sites on the new version is one of our top priorities for this upgrade.
Initial testing suggests that this should be fairly straightforward from a technical point of view.
What we're working on now is designing a process to make this as seamless and intuitive for those using Blackboard as possible.
As for training, the exact training schedule is still being worked out, but it is likely that the bulk of the training workshops will be focused on the Fall semester.
Posted by Ethan Ehrenberg | June 20, 2008 11:10 AM
Posted on June 20, 2008 11:10