Blackboard Transition Frequently Asked Questions

A. Blackboard is an online course management system (CMS). The college has purchased the Blackboard Learning System and Content System version 7.1. Click on the links to learn about the product capabilities and features of each system.

Q. How does Blackboard compare with CampusCruiser?

A. Blackboard is a full-featured course management system. Campus Cruiser is a portal which provides access to web-based e-mail and other online communication features. For more details, see the comparison chart of these two products: http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard/compare.htm

Q. Who will have a Blackboard account?

A. All full- and part-time faculty who are scheduled to teach a class and who have an Enterprise network account (http://www.cod.edu/it/howdoi/account.htm).

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Q. When can I start using Blackboard?

A. You will be given your login when you attend TLC training. You may start using Blackboard with your web-enhanced or hybrid courses in Summer 2007. COD Online courses will begin using Blackboard in Fall 2007.

Q. What is the timeline for the Blackboard Migration?

A. Please note that migration is not an automatic process and will be by request only. If you have verified your course to be migrated through your CIL/Online Area Coodinator, that serves as your request. Instructors will need to make final modifications to the migrated course. The following timeline is anticipated for the migration process:

Jan 2007 Five selected online courses from different divisions and disciplines will be piloted in Blackboard to test the system and provide feedback.

Jan 2007 TLC training for online instructors and other faculty begins in mid January.

Feb 2007 Migration of existing online courses in Anlon starts and continues until all requested courses are moved into Blackboard. Estimated completion month is July of 2007.

May 2007 Hybrid and web-enhanced courses are expected to be delivered in Blackboard (summer term)

Aug 2007 All online, hybrid and web-enhanced courses will be delivered in Blackboard (fall term). Only previously issued incompletes will stay in Anlon.

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Q. When is training available?

A. TLC will offer three hour training workshops starting mid January 2007.

To ensure enough time for preparation of course materials for fall 2007, it is recommended that faculty who teach online, web-enhanced and/or hybrid courses take training in January and February. Please contact TLC to find out the specific dates, times and register. (http://www.cod.edu/tlc/blackboard.htm#blackboard)

Q. Will training be available online?

A. No, online Blackboard training will not be available at this time. However, TLC will offer sessions at different times and days including evening and weekends to accommodate your scheduling needs. (http://www.cod.edu/tlc/blackboard.htm#blackboard)

Q. Who is required to attend training?

A. Instructors who teach or will teach online, web-enhanced and/or hybrid courses that utilize the Blackboard system.

Q. Is training available to all who are interested?

A. Yes. Training will be available through TLC to all faculty and staff who are interested in learning how to use Blackboard. However, if an instructor does not currently have course materials in Anlon for an online or hybrid course, that instructor should attend sessions later in the semester.

Q. Are there any other resources available besides TLC training?

A. For more advanced topics, faculty can access tutorials provided by Blackboard or other colleges. A Google search will lead you to vast resources about Blackboard on the Internet.

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Q. What does migration from Anlon to Blackboard involve? What is my role as an online instructor?

A. IT will transfer existing Anlon COD Online courses to Blackboard upon request. If your Anlon online course is in this list http://www.cod.edu/dept/oid/it/migrationcourselist12.xls, no additional request is necessary. Only one version per course will be converted by IT. After the course is placed in Blackboard by IT, the instructor is expected to review the course and make any final modifications.

Instructors of web-enhanced and hybrid courses are expected to transition their courses themselves. However, upon request, IT will download Anlon files for any instructor and provide step-by-step instruction to explain how these files may be uploaded to Blackboard.

Q. Can I transition my COD Online courses myself?

A. Yes. Please be aware that you will need to build your course in Blackboard. We highly recommend that you take the TLC training early.

Q. Is it possible for my course to be delivered via Blackboard for Summer 2007?

A. The pilot online courses will be delivered in Blackboard in Spring and Summer 07. It is anticipated that hybrid and web-enhanced courses will be delivered via Blackboard in Summer, 2007. Other online courses will not be delivered in Blackboard until Fall 07.

Q. My online course will need a major content update next year. What should I do?

A. The Transition Team requests that major revisions be postponed until after migration. If a major revision is required, make sure you notify your CIL Area Coordinator in advance. If your course needs to be completely re-done, please consider carefully the need to transition from Anlon. It may be more efficient to build your course from scratch in Blackboard.

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Q. What support resources are available to faculty members?

A. Faculty may use COD Resources for Blackboard: http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard/faculty.htm.

Q. Where can I direct my students for technical help?

A. Direct your students to COD Resources for Blackboard, http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard. This page can also be accessed from within Blackboard using either the HELP button (at the top of every page) or the left menu navigation link, COD Resources.

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Q. Who are the Transition Team members?

A. Following the Board’s decision to replace Anlon with Blackboard in September, the Online Course Management System (CMS) Transition Team was formed to facilitate this migration. The team meets monthly to discuss needs, coordinate efforts, and communicate with the college community.

The Transition Team members represent various academic areas and administrative or support functions of the college. Please feel free to contact any of the team members with your questions and comments.

CMS Transition Team Members:

Annette Haggray	Dean of Academic Alternatives and Instructional Support (Chair)
Susan Burdick	Instructional Design Specialist, IT
Jo Collins	Administrative Assistant, Registration
Rich Elliman	Assistant Professor, Business & Technology, and CIL Area Coordinator
Mitchell Fisher	Assistant Professor, Economics
Phyllis Goodman	Professor, Business/Management/Marketing
Wanda Grabow	Professor, Computer Information Systems
Christine Kickles	Librarian and Faculty Development
Keith Kuchar	Associate Professor, Mathematics
Jackie McGrath	Assistant Professor, English
Robert Nichols	Associate Dean, Business & Technology
Min Pan	Coordinator, Instructional Development, AAIS
Cathy Rathke	Senior Project Manager, IT
Beverly Reed	Assistant Dean, Communications
Helen Shullaw	Coordinator, Registration
Katie Sommers	Course Systems Manager, CIL
Cathy Stablein	Professor, Journalism

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If you have questions about this page, please e-mail CODOnline@cod.edu

Cathy Rathke