OIT has installed the latest version of Blackboard (version 7.0) and is looking for faculty volunteers to pilot this system. For a list of new features available in version 7.0, visit Blackboard’s own site.
As in past UMBC Bb pilot programs, faculty who want to use the most recent version should consider the following:
• OIT will place an announcement in your pilot course describing what you and your students need to do if you encounter a problem in the version 7 pilot environment. We would ask you to make this a “permanent” announcement in your course throughout the semester.
• Throughout the semester, you and your students may be asked to complete a survey about your experience with the software.
• Your course will not be compatible with the regular production server until it is migrated to the version 7.0 software. Currently, OIT plans to migrate all courses to version 7.0 in January 2007, but may considering doing so for Fall 2006 if we get acceptable results during a substantive pilot program this spring.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact John Fritz (fritz@umbc.edu or 5-6596) or Bob Armstrong (rarmstro@umbc.edu or 5-3885), or send email to blackboard@umbc.edu.