Blackboard Upgrade: A University-Wide eLearning Collaboration

Experts from several colleges, UC Libraries, the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning (CET&L), and UC Information Technologies (UCIT) have teamed up to enhance UC’s eLearning experience for instructors and students. These planned improvements include an upgrade to Blackboard—the university’s learning management system (LMS).

“UC is committed to new approaches to eLearning, and our LMS is a critical component of student success,” said Chris Edwards, assistant dean for information technology and communications at the College of Nursing and chair of the IT Governance eLearning Topical Committee. “Grounded in collaboration and community engagement, we aim to create an eLearning ecosystem that is innovative, reliable and student-centered.”

Blackboard 9.1 Service Pack 13 will provide a more modern, user-friendly experience for instructors and students. The upgraded platform supports modern browsers (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari), content management tools, video conferencing, a calendar and more.

The Blackboard Upgrade Team will roll out Blackboard 9.1 Service Pack 13 in three phases.

Phase 1:

Spring Semester 2014—The first phase of the upgrade takes effect spring semester. All College of Nursing courses and more than twenty-five courses across the university will incorporate the new Blackboard platform into their eLearning efforts beginning in January.

Phase 2:

Summer Semester 2014—All summer semester Blackboard courses will be delivered via the Blackboard 9.1.13 system.

Phase 3:

Fall Semester 2014—By the start of fall semester 2014, Blackboard 9.1.13 will be fully implemented across the university.

“Experts across the university are lending their talents to make this a highly collaborative, inclusive, and coordinated endeavor,” said Nelson Vincent, UC’s vice president for information technology, chief information officer and chair of the IT Council. “These enhancements to Blackboard will enhance eLearning capabilities across the institution. It is truly Cincinnati smart.”

Students, faculty and staff are invited to learn more about the new system and the plan for its implementation at an upcoming Blackboard Upgrade Town Hall Meeting.

Uptown Campus West Town Hall:

Tuesday, Dec. 3

, 9-11 a.m., Stratford Banquet Room.

UC Blue Ash Town Hall:

Wednesday, Dec. 4

, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Muntz Auditorium.

UC Clermont Town Hall:

Thursday, Dec. 5

, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Krueger Auditorium.

Uptown Campus East Town Hall:

Friday, Dec. 6

, 9-11 a.m., Procter Hall 276.

For more information, email

Emily.Baute@uc.edu

or call 556-4519.