After piloting and testing two candidates for NAU’s new learning management systems (LMS), the Provost’s Academic Computing Advisory Committee (PACAC) recommended Blackboard (Bb) Learn as the replacement for Bb Vista, NAU’s current LMS. The recommendation was approved by the Provost. You can view the steps leading up to the LMS decision change at the PACAC site.
In January 2011 we will begin the transition to Bb Learn. Here are a few things you should know.Timeline
Spring 2011: We hope to have at least 50 to 100 courses taught in Bb Learn. All other courses will continue to be taught in Bb Vista. In Spring 2011, you need to be aware of the following for the spring semester only:
- Combined or co-convened sections are not available in Bb Learn
- Courses must start on or after January 18, 2011
- The Grade Import tool to Peoplesoft will not be available in Bb Learn
Instructors who want to teach in Bb Learn in this Spring term should email a request to elc-help@nau.edu including details.
Summer 2011: Both Bb Vista and Bb Learn will be used. The e-Learning Center (ELC) will continue to help convert courses from Bb Vista to Bb Learn. By summer we expect to be able to accommodate combined and co-convened sections in Bb Learn.
Fall and Winter 2011: Bb Learn will be the default LMS, but instructors who still want to use Bb Vista may do so if they first notify the e-Learning Center.
Spring 2012: Bb Learn will be the only LMS available for teaching courses. Bb Vista will still be available for incompletes and grade challenges, but no current courses may be taught in Bb Vista. This will allow us to shift all support resources and server hardware towards the new system.
Course Conversion from Bb Vista to Bb Learn
The e-Learning Center will coordinate the conversion of current Bb Vista course materials to Bb Learn. They will work with instructors to map Bb Vista tools and course content as closely as possible to those available in Bb Learn. You and other instructors in your department can start the conversion process with some recommended steps:
- Departments and programs should work to reduce the number of duplicate versions of multiple sections of one course before requesting conversion.
- Update your current Bb Vista course, deleting unused files and organizing your content and file manager directory structure.
- Request conversions as soon as possible, since the workload involved will make it impossible to convert large numbers of courses at the last minute.
- Before requesting course conversion, please think about your current course:
- What worked well in the course?
- What did not work as planned?
- What technical difficulties did I or my students have?
- What areas of the course would I like to improve?
- What content or activities would I like to add, remove or change?
Depending on the number of files to transfer, the complexity of the course structure, and the answers to the above questions, we may decide, in consultation with you, to do one of the three types of conversions:
- Transfer -- copy all files and activities as closely as possible to the way in which they are set up in Bb Vista. There are no major conflicts with the tools and structure between Bb Vista and Bb Learn.
- Translate -- copy all files and adapt class activities and materials to the Bb Learn structure. Some items may not work in Bb Learn as they did in Bb Vista, and require assistance from the instructor in adapting to the new LMS environment. The course structure may require multiple changes to best use Bb Learn.
- Transform -- use the original materials and activities in Bb Vista, but design a new structure to the course. Take advantage of new features in Bb Learn to create new student activities. Re-design your content to fit your students’ needs. This will require more coordination between the instructor and the e-Learning Center staff.
A Migration Request Form is now available to start this conversion process.
Submit Bb Learn Migration Request
Check A Migration Request Status
Spring Semester Shell Request
If you need a Bb Learn course shell for the upcoming Spring 2011 semester, and do not need extensive help from the e-Learning Center to migrate or convert any Bb Vista materials, please email elc-help@nau.edu with a request for a Bb Learn course shell. Please include information about the course, including the class number.
Future Course Development Section
If you are developing a new course in Bb Learn for delivery in a future semester, you can request a Bb Learn class shell here: Request Future Course Development Section.
Online Tutorials for Bb Learn
Tutorials showing how to complete common tasks in Bb Learn are currently available on our tutorials page. We will add more tutorials over time.
Training
The e-Learning Center will provide training, support materials, and other resources in a variety of formats. Please check our training schedule during the spring semester to find out the dates and register for Bb Learn workshops.
