Blackboard Migration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a course management system that allows for learning to occur in the online environment.
When will we move from ANGEL to Blackboard?
Courses will be moved from ANGEL to Blackboard in four groups between Summer 1 2014 and Spring 2015. The plan is to move between 10 and 15 classes in each Summer session, a larger group in Fall 2014 and the remaining online courses in Spring 2015.
When will training take place?
Training will begin in March of 2014. Training will be based on when the instructor migrates. The schedule is as follows:
- Summer 1 2014: March through May 2014
- Summer 2 2014: April through June 2014
- Fall 2014: June through August 2014
- Spring 2015: September through December 2014
When will I migrate to Blackboard?
Every effort will be made to migrate courses on a schedule that fits the instructor's schedule. Unfortunately, there are a large number of classes that need to be migrated, so we may not be able to honor all requests for migration. Please fill out the preferences form at: http://elinks.ecc.edu/multimedia/instructional/bb/preferences.html
Will we migrate by department or as individuals?
Every attempt to accommodate faculty during this transition will be made. For the most part, faculty will be able to choose when they make the move to Blackboard. Departments or units may choose to make this move at the same time. If a department (or unit) chooses to go at the same time, it may make it easier to schedule training sessions and the members of the department will be able to support each other.
How Do I sign up for Training?
Training is still being developed. You will be contacted about training options and dates based on the information you provided in the preference form (http://elinks.ecc.edu/multimedia/instructional/bb/preferences.html) and the availible training slots for that phase of migration. Priority will be given to faculty members who are currently teaching online. You can see the planned migration plan here.
What about my hybrid and web assist classes?
To make things easier for instructors, when a faculty member migrates their online classes, they can also migrate their web assist and hybrid classes. If the instructor is not teaching online classes, they will migrate in Spring 2015.
What training will be available to students?
There will be an online student orientation for Blackboard. In addition, several face to face workshops will be offered in the beginning of each semester
Will students be on different formats at the same time?
Unfortunately, due to the large number of students and classes on the Learning Management System students may have classes in both systems. During this transition, every effort will be made to reduce confusion for these students.
If I develop a course in Course Sites can I move that content into Blackboard Learn 9.1?
Yes, you will have the ability to zip your contents and upload the zipped file to Blackboard.
Are there any online resources available for Blackboard Learn 9.1?
Blackboard has a wealth of training resources designed to assist faculty through the migration and design processes: