Teach with Technology

Blackboard Learn Implementation

Purdue's transition to Blackboard Learn, begun in fall 2011, is nearly complete. All courses which utilize Blackboard are being taught in Blackboard Learn. Instructor retrieval of remaining content from the outgoing Blackboard Vista system is in process, and is the final step of the transition.

Summer 2013 Update

• Blackboard Vista is becoming increasingly unstable due to end-of-cycle software and hardware issues. If instructors have content on Blackboard Vista that they want to keep, we recommend that they download their files as soon as possible. Files on Blackboard Learn are not affected by this issue.
  
  ITaP educational technologists are available to meet with any faculty who would like assistance with downloading their files from Vista; they can call 49-63257 or email tlt-consulting@purdue.edu to set up a visit to their offices.
  
  For self-service, step-by-step instructions for downloading content or student data from Blackboard Vista may be found here: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/training/materials/list.cfm?TopicID=271
  
  
• ITaP is in the process of testing Blackboard Learn Service Pack 10/11, which includes improvements in navigation, the instructor's content editor, assessments, course calendar, and accessibility features. Highlights of the upgrade may be found here: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/newsroom/detail.cfm?NewsID=2777
  

New Functionality Introduced in Spring 2013

• A new tool that allowed instructors to submit final grades through Blackboard Learn successfully processed Spring 2013 grades.
  
  
• Course Signals available for use in the Bb Learn environment.
  
  
• Real-time integration with Banner implemented for West Lafayette campus. Course, instructor, and student enrollment changes are reflected almost immediately in Bb Learn.

New Functionality for Fall 2012

ITaP was busy over the spring and summer, working with Blackboard, Blackboard's faculty advisory committee, and faculty who participated in the pilot semesters of Blackboard Learn. As a result, these new tools and features are available to Purdue faculty:

• After a summer pilot, Bb Learn now supports cross-listed courses. Now called "course merge", instructors of record can contact tlt-consulting@purdue.edu to request that two or more of their courses are merged in Learn.
  
  
• Bb Learn provides additional functionality and integrates with many third-party applications through the use of "building blocks". These include several that connect to tools Blackboard Vista instructors have relied on, such as i>clicker, SafeAssign, and Instructional Data Processing (IDP) uploads for Scantron tests. A full list of installed building blocks can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/blnk77o.
  
  
• Purdue has begun a pilot project with Kaltura, a streaming video platform that is tightly integrated with Blackboard Learn. Through the Kaltura building block, instructors and students can easily upload, publish, and view video in a variety of formats. For more information refer to our Kaltura service page http://www.itap.purdue.edu/learning/kaltura and, for instructions on how to use Kaltura in Bb Learn, see http://youtu.be/Ag0zT9ldn5s.
  
  

Change in Blackboard Mobile Application

• Blackboard's mobile application for iPhones and Android devices remains available to Purdue students and instructors. One important change will take place in mid-September when Blackboard's Personal License option is introduced. New users, and users who previously used Mobile at no charge, will be asked by Blackboard to play either $1.99 for a one-year license or $5.99 for a perpetual license of Blackboard Mobile. For more information, see: http://tinyurl.com/mobbb9.

 

Student Early Warning Tools

While Blackboard Vista instructors may continue to use Course Signals in the fall, Blackboard Learn instructors may use Blackboard Learn's "Early Warning System" (EWS) to create interventions with at-risk students. Instructors using EWS will set up "rules" to trigger follow-ups with students. Please contact tlt-consulting@purdue.edu for assistance in using Course Signals or the EWS; documentation for the EWS may be found here: http://tinyurl.com/ewsbb9.

 

Blackboard Learn Resource Links

• Blackboard Login & Critical Announcements: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/learning/blackboard
• Workstation Compatibility Information: http://tinyurl.com/99npho6
• If you've not used Blackboard Learn yet: http://tinyurl.com/wheretobegin
• Faculty Resources: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/learning/tools/blackboard/learn_res/faculty.cfm
• Student Resources: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/learning/tools/blackboard/learn_res/student.cfm
• List of installed Blackboard building blocks: http://tinyurl.com/blnk77o
• Calendar of hands-on workshops & registration: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/training/calendar/
  Workshops include Blackboard Learn, the new video integration tool (Kaltura), the i>clicker student response system, Qualtrics online survey tool, Respondus quiz tool, and Adobe Connect 8 online meeting tool. An orientation to ITaP tools and services that support instructional initiatives is also available.
• Blackboard Learn Essentials video demos - playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5706E1CDFB5ADEBA

 

A list of the differences between Blackboard Vista 8 and Blackboard Learn is available at Blackboard Learn SP8 and Vista Comparison Chart.

 

Training

ITaP will provide training and support in a variety of formats. Please check our training schedule during the spring semester to to register for Blackboard Learn workshops. You can also sign up to receive our training announcements via email.

Project Goal & History

To provide an updated LMS which provide new features to improve the teaching and learning experience of Purdue University faculty and students.

Since 2004, ITaP has hosted the WebCT/Blackboard Vista/Blackboard Learn learning management system (LMS) to provide an online instructional content and delivery platform.

 

Faculty Participants

 

Project Team

Schedule