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Common misconceptions in Blackboard 9.1 (Learning Edge) part 1
Over the past few months we have had a few queries arise from members of staff about what to expect in Blackboard 9.1 Learning Edge. We have started collating some of these and hope to answer them here.
“I have to let my Learning Technologist know about which areas I need creating for next year”
All areas are being created automatically according to the Student Information Database (SID) so if your programme, course or module exists there, it will automatically exist in Blackboard also! You will need to liase with your administrative staff to arrange access to these areas (see next question).
“I will automatically be given access to my Blackboard Courses”
All student enrollments into the new system are now automated as a result of the successful integration of the Student Information System (SID) and Blackboard.
Staff enrolments into Backboard courses will be managed manually within the Faculties. Faculty Course Administrators will, on request, grant access to primary course contacts ie. Programme/Course/Year/Module leads who will then be able to give their teams the required access.
“I have to teach in modules now”
Many will choose to teach in a modular form, but many other possibilities are available. You can teach your subjects in year groups or by programme or course amongst other options. Speak to your head of department or faculty and administrators to decide what would be best to suit your needs and teaching requirements.
“I need to have technical skills to use Blackboard”
Basic IT skills are all you need to get started using a virtual learning environment (VLE) like Blackboard. Blackboard 9.1 has been designed for teachers who don’t have a technical background and is even more intuitive and easy to use than before. As with all new technologies, it might take a bit of getting used to at first, which is why the Learning Technology Development team are working with staff from across the University to ensure they are ready to make the most of the new system.
“Do I still need to send lists (to LTD) to get students enrolled?”
Not any longer. Student details of where they are enrolled are taken from SID and matched in Blackboard. When a student is enrolled, they will then be added to the appropriate area in Blackboard 9.1. This makes it ever more important communication between Academic Registry and your Administrative teams are kept up to date about student movements between modules or possibly courses, as it will affect what they can access in Blackboard 9.1 There will be no way to add students into a module that they are not enrolled on!
“It’s hard work to get my content across to the new version (Blackboard 9.1)”
Depending on the complexity of your modules or courses, this is a relatively straight-forward process. If you have a basic level of content, you may wish to take the opportunity to have a ‘spring clean’ of any old documents to make sure your material is up-to-date. This may involve starting fresh in your new module/course area. If you have a complex course, we have the opportunity to ‘migrate’ the content across (this will still require a little tidying up afterwards). Decide on which is the best option for you, but remember, the Learning Technology Department is here to help support you in this transition.
Please contact the Learning Technology Department on [email protected]
Carol Chatten
Learning Technologist
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Making things happen: behind the scenes (part 2)
In our last post we focused on the Learning Services team and their roles in the technical development and staff training for Blackboard 9.1. This time, we thought we’d introduce the colleagues who work with our Learning Technologists, David Callaghan and Adrian Cain: Kevin English (Assistant Registrar, Data Management & User Support Team, Academic Registry), Kevin Molyneux (Senior Business Systems Officer, IT Services) and Victor Iriarte (Complex Hosting Manager, Blackboard).
This cross-University/Blackboard group have been working over the past few months to ensure that integration between existing University systems and Blackboard 9.1 has enabled the automatic creation of course areas and student enrolments in Blackboard. The collaboration has resulted in a robust integration and provided timely and consistent availability of courses and student enrolments into Blackboard. It wouldn’t have happened without the excellent teamwork from all involved.
Our offer of a high-quality group photo to accompany this post was gently refused so we have included an image of the 9.1 ‘concept’ highlighting the integration aspect instead. The aim is to illustrate that without effective systems integration, none of the other benefits of Blackboard 9.1 can be realised.
The final post in the ‘Behind the Scenes’ series will introduce you to faculty colleagues who have key roles in the roll out of Blackboard 9.1 to staff and students …
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Making things happen: behind the scenes (part 1)
Previous blog posts have focused on the technical and staff development activity involved in moving to Blackboard 9.1. This time, we thought we’d introduce the teams who are making all this happen. First off is (most of) the team from Learning Services pictured below:
Standing L-R: Peter Beaumont, Carol Chatten, David Callaghan, Lisa Farnworth, Martin Baxter, Meg Juss. Seated L-R: Lindsey Martin, Rachel Bury, Katherine Richardson, Elaine Czotter.
David Callaghan, Mark Ayton and Adrian Cain (both not pictured) have been working extensively with colleagues in IT Services, Academic Registry and Blackboard to ensure that the Student Information Database and Blackboard talk to one another as seamlessly as possible to ensure that the courses and student records in Blackboard are always up-to-date.
Peter, Carol, David, Martin, Lisa, Meg and Adrian have been responsible for training staff in the use of Blackboard, supporting migration from Blackboard CE8 and creating all new guides and resources. To date, they have trained over 400 staff and will continue training and providing support over the summer. They will be joined in late August by Elaine, ICT Staff Development Co-ordinator. Elaine will be responsible for the ongoing training of Administrative staff across the faculties who will be working with Blackboard for the first time.
A special thanks must go to Katherine who has pulled all of the staff training schedules together and created order out of chaos!
Last but not least, Rachel and Lindsey (who have brought you the blog from the days of the VLE Review) who try to ensure that everyone knows what they need to know, when they need to know it, in the format that is most appropriate for them!
The next three months are going to be very busy as we work with the faculties to make sure all their courses are ready for September. We are here to help so please get in touch via the blog or email to any of the team. We look forward to hearing from you …
Our next blog post – Behind the scenes (part 2) will introduce you to our wider team – some of the key staff who we have worked with across the University …
