This document provides an overview of the transition from Blackboard 8 to Blackboard 9 at a college. It discusses that Blackboard has become a critical tool for 90% of classes, with 2000-4000 daily users. The new Blackboard 9 interface will require effort to ensure a smooth transition. Benefits of Blackboard 9 include fewer clicks to complete tasks, improved interface, and better multimedia integration. The college is preparing by testing the software, providing training sessions and workshops, and transitioning all sites from Blackboard 8 to Blackboard 9 in May 2010 over two days when the systems will be offline.

1. Introduction to Blackboard 9 Course & Content Management System

2. General Points

3. General Points Blackboard has become one of the College's most important tools to support academic technology

4. General Points Blackboard has become one of the College's most important tools to support academic technology 90% of classes have Blackboard sites

5. General Points Blackboard has become one of the College's most important tools to support academic technology 90% of classes have Blackboard sites 2000 to 4000 users are accessing the system at any given time

6. General Points Blackboard has become one of the College's most important tools to support academic technology 90% of classes have Blackboard sites 2000 to 4000 users are accessing the system at any given time With so many people using Blackboard 8, the new interface in Blackboard 9 will necessitate a large-scale effort by IT to ensure a smooth transition

7. Blackboard 9 Benefits

8. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated

9. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

10. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

11. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

12. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

13. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

14. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

15. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

16. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks than Bb 8. Example: Adding Items

17. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated

18. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated More intuitive interface. Blogs, wikis, tests, assignments, etc. are easier to create

19. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated More intuitive interface. Blogs, wikis, tests, assignments, etc. are easier to create Grade Center functionality improved. Group assignments and grading now possible

20. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated More intuitive interface. Blogs, wikis, tests, assignments, etc. are easier to create Grade Center functionality improved. Group assignments and grading now possible Better multimedia integration. Youtube videos and other media now easily embedded

21. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated More intuitive interface. Blogs, wikis, tests, assignments, etc. are easier to create Grade Center functionality improved. Group assignments and grading now possible Better multimedia integration. Youtube videos and other media now easily embedded New course "Home Page" allows users to easily see and navigate to newly posted materials

22. Blackboard 9 Benefits New course Home Page shows "What's New"

23. Blackboard 9 Benefits Fewer clicks to accomplish common tasks; useless clicks have been eliminated More intuitive interface. Blogs, wikis, tests, assignments, etc. are easier to create Grade Center functionality improved. Group assignments and grading now possible Better multimedia integration. Youtube videos and other media now easily embedded New course "Home Page" allows users to easily see and navigate to newly posted materials

24. Blackboard 9 Benefits, cont'd. Streamlined, easier to navigate user interface

25. Blackboard 9 Benefits, cont'd. Streamlined main page compared to Bb8

26. Blackboard 9 Benefits, cont'd. Streamlined main page compared to Bb8

27. Blackboard 9 Benefits, cont'd. Streamlined, easier to navigate user interface

28. Blackboard 9 Benefits, cont'd. Streamlined, easier to navigate user interface As with any piece of software, the release of a new version means reduced support for previous versions. We are already experiencing problems and browser difficulties in Blackboard 8 which have resulted in frustration for our users.

29. Preparing for the change

30. Preparing for the change IT is continuing to test and refine our implementation of the software

31. Preparing for the change IT is continuing to test and refine our implementation of the software Brief orientations for departments and programs to highlight the importance of becoming familiar with the new software

32. Preparing for the change IT is continuing to test and refine our implementation of the software Brief orientations for departments and programs to highlight the importance of becoming familiar with the new software Ongoing classes for beginners and more advanced users

33. Preparing for the change IT is continuing to test and refine our implementation of the software Brief orientations for departments and programs to highlight the importance of becoming familiar with the new software Ongoing classes for beginners and more advanced users Hands-on workshops this semester focus on helping faculty members transition to the new version

34. Preparing for the change IT is continuing to test and refine our implementation of the software Brief orientations for departments and programs to highlight the importance of becoming familiar with the new software Ongoing classes for beginners and more advanced users Hands-on workshops this semester focus on helping faculty members transition to the new version Online tutorials for self-guided instruction

35. Preparing for the change IT is continuing to test and refine our implementation of the software Brief orientations for departments and programs to highlight the importance of becoming familiar with the new software Ongoing classes for beginners and more advanced users Hands-on workshops this semester focus on helping faculty members transition to the new version Online tutorials for self-guided instruction One-on-one assistance will be available as always

36. Online Tutorial Sample

37. Timetable

38. Timetable Early spring 2010: Communicate with departments & administrators

39. Timetable Early spring 2010: Communicate with departments & administrators Mid-February 2010: Provide early access to Blackboard 9 for faculty members to get a head start on summer or fall

40. Timetable Early spring 2010: Communicate with departments & administrators Mid-February 2010: Provide early access to Blackboard 9 for faculty members to get a head start on summer or fall Spring 2010: Begin ongoing training sessions & hands-on workshops

41. Timetable Early spring 2010: Communicate with departments & administrators Mid-February 2010: Provide early access to Blackboard 9 for faculty members to get a head start on summer or fall Spring 2010: Begin ongoing training sessions & hands-on workshops Late spring 2010: Begin providing new online help pages

42. Timetable Early spring 2010: Communicate with departments & administrators Mid-February 2010: Provide early access to Blackboard 9 for faculty members to get a head start on summer or fall Spring 2010: Begin ongoing training sessions & hands-on workshops Late spring 2010: Begin providing new online help pages May 17 - 18, 2010: Transfer all Bb 8 sites to Bb 9. Both systems will be offline for those days.

43. Timetable Early spring 2010: Communicate with departments & administrators Mid-February 2010: Provide early access to Blackboard 9 for faculty members to get a head start on summer or fall Spring 2010: Begin ongoing training sessions & hands-on workshops Late spring 2010: Begin providing new online help pages May 17 - 18, 2010: Transfer all Bb 8 sites to Bb 9. Both systems will be offline for those days. Aug. 15 - Sept. 15: Telephone helpline will be available to respond to faculty questions

44. Spring Classes & Workshops All Classes will take place in Washington Hall 315 and will last one hour. We will be offering Introductory classes and Advanced classes on different days. Scheduled Classes: • Monday, Feb. 22, 10:00am (INTRO) • Tuesday, March 2, 9:30am (INTRO) • Tuesday March 16, 3:30pm (ADVANCED) • Wednesday March 24, 3:00pm (INTRO) • Thursday April 15, 12:30pm (INTRO) • Monday, April 26, 2:00pm (ADVANCED) • Tuesday, April 27, 2:30pm (INTRO) All Workshops will take place in Morton Hall 240. These are open-house format where faculty members can get walk-in one-on-one help with setting up a new site or transferring an old site into Blackboard 9. Scheduled Workshops: • Friday March 12, 10:00am - 4:00pm • Thursday April 1, 1:00pm - 5:00pm • Wednesday April 21, 9:00am - 1:00pm Classes and workshops will continue through the summer. Times and locations to be announced.

45. Contacts Gene Roche Director of AIS Jones Hall Room 106-B Email: earoch@wm.edu Phone: 757.221.1879 Departmental / School Contacts: Mike Blum (Humanities) Washington Hall 202 Email: mxblum@wm.edu Phone: 757.221.7550 Tammy Thrift (Social Sciences) Morton Hall 240 Email: tmthri@wm.edu Phone: 757.221.1577 Pablo Yanez (Sciences) ISC Email: pxyane@wm.edu Phone: 757.221.2647 Mark Eaton (School of Ed.) Jones Hall 335 Email: mxeato@wm.edu Phone: 757.221.1127 Jessica Hughes (Law School) Marshall-Wythe 219 Email: jphugh@wm.edu Phone: 757.221.1591 Terry Trojak (School of Business) Mason School Email: terry.trojak@mason.wm.edu Phone: 757.221.1575