Blackboard 9 is Almost Here!!

Reminders and Updates:

• When: The upgrade to version 9 (9.0 Service Pack 3) of Blackboard will take place on Saturday, May 15, 2010. Blackboard will be unavailable to all users from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM on May 15th to perform this upgrade.
  
  
• Where/Location: This upgrade will take place on our normal Blackboard area. After the upgrade, you will follow the same process as usual to access your Blackboard courses. The Explore site that we used during training was just for training purposes.
  
  
• Blackboard 9 Hotline: The VCCS will provide additional Blackboard 9 tech support from May 16th - May 23rd from 6:00 AM - 10: AM and 5:00 PM - 11:00 Pm. This hotline is to be used by faculty and staff if they need assistance with their course on Blackboard 9, and they cannot access their regular avenues of support. Directions on accessing this hotline have been posted below, and an additional email we be sent on Sunday just concerning this hotline. If Needed -- Meeting Number: 737 131 170 Meeting Password: samson
  
  1. Go to https://freetrial.webex.com/freetrial/j.php?ED=134073647&UID=926337867&PW=NNzMyNzkwOWY0&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
  2. Enter your name and email address.
  3. Enter the meeting password: samson
  4. Click "Join Now".
  5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
  Additional Note: (For Audio Only) Call-in toll number: 1-650-429-3300
  Access code:737 131 170
  
  
• Summer Course Content: Working on your summer courses before the upgrade is fine. This upgrade should not effect your content, but it is always a good rule of thumb to back-up. Back-up your content by exporting a copy of your course(s) before the upgrade.
  
  
• Training Materials: A variety of training materials have been developed on utilizing Blackboard 9. Click on "Train Materials" above to view a presentation on the differences between Blackboard 8 and 9 AND to access handouts and video tutorials.
  
  
• Checklist (Post-Upgrade Course Check): You will need to check your course(s) after the upgrade. Here is a checklist that may help you in your review.
  
  
• Web Browsers: Firefox is a better web browser to use with Blackboard 9, but you should go to the web page here concerning supported web browser and operating systems. (For example, if you are using Windows 7 as your operating system you should not use Internet Explorer 7. ) If you are using Internet Explorer 8 and run into problems, you may want to switch to Firefox or try IE 8 in compatibility mode. Versions of Internet Explorer before version 7 are no longer supported.
  
  
• Email Notifications: Blackboard 9 sends out email notifications when students are enrolled in a course (if the course is available), and if they are enrolled in a course that is unavailable they receive an email when the course is made available. If you make your course area unavailable and then available throughout the semester when making modifications to your course (this is with active courses in the current semester). Students will be inundated with emails during the semester. Keep this notification process in mind.