In an effort to update Blackboard, Ohio University Communications Network Services is conducting a pilot program with a newer version called Blackboard 6.
During Fall Quarter, CNS enlisted 30 faculty members to try the program in order to weed out any major glitches. CNS Information Technology Communications Manager Sean O'Malley said the pilot has extended to 250 professors, meaning there are nearly 9,000 students who have at least one course using the newer version.
If all goes well this quarter
we plan to make the new Blackboard available to all faculty and start phasing out all older versions he said.
CNS plans to have the older version completely phased out by Fall Quarter 2005.
If major problems with Blackboard 6 occur, O'Malley said CNS will push the upgrade back to a later date; however, he promised that the switch will occur. The pilot programs are simply an added precaution.
You never want to do a huge campus upgrade without making sure people won't have major problems O'Malley said. We want to make sure this transition is as smooth as possible.
Professors reported few problems to CNS so far, but O'Malley said he would reserve judgment until next quarter. Blackboard 5 will remain open to faculty to give them time to transfer the information from their courses to the updated versions.
We know faculty don't work every quarter
so we want to give everyone an opportunity to transfer their courses without completely deleting it and leaving people out in the cold
O'Malley said
The new Blackboard offers more options, including customizable course menus, the ability to edit courses directly through Blackboard instead of through e-mail, a function that understands and can grade math papers and instant-messaging capabilities.
The new program basically just expands upon many of the older features
making it much easier to use
O'Malley said.
CNS requests that anyone participating in the extended pilot program who comes across problems or bugs or has any questions about Blackboard 6 should contact the Support Center at (740) 593-1222.
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Dwayne Steward
