The much-anticipated upgrade to Blackboard is finally here! Are you curious about new features and how to use them? We will be developing some training sessions on how to use the new Google Educational Apps. If you’re interested in learning more about them in the meantime, we’d be happy to schedule an individual session with you. Drop us a line at AL_IS&D@nvcc.edu or stop by AA 337.
From Pamela Wimbush, Directory, Technology Applications Center (TAC):
“The VCCS will upgrade our current version of Blackboard to Service Pack 11 (SP11), which provides users with contemporary design, improved accessibility features and some long-awaited functionality. The upgrade is scheduled to occur Friday May 17th starting at 6:00 PM. The outage is expected to last at most 12 hours and should be complete before 6:00 AM on Saturday May 18th. The Blackboard Learn SP11 Handout is available as a reference to the new Blackboard features. In addition, the VCCS will be adding several new applications to the Google Educational Apps.
When students, faculty, and staff log in to MyNOVA to access their Gmail accounts after the Blackboard upgrade, you will have access to a number of new, powerful teaching and learning tools. During the scheduled outage, not only will Blackboard Learn be upgraded to Service Pack 11, which includes new features like a survey tool and the on-the-fly embedded video tool, Video Everywhere, but Google Apps for Education will also be expanded from its current set of core apps—Gmail, Docs, Calendar, etc,– to a broad selection of new consumer apps: YouTube, Google+, Maps, Books, Picasa, etc. These new apps will provide VCCS students, faculty, and staff with access to an even more powerful suite of teaching, learning, social, and communication tools that can be used both in and outside of the classroom.
More information about VCCS Google Apps for Education can be found at http://www.email.vccs.edu/extra-apps (a Google Site, by the way).”
If you have additional questions about navigating Blackboard 9.1, please contact any of the following:
This year’s Adjunct Professional Development Day is scheduled for Saturday, August 24th from 8:30 to 1:30pm. Come learn about resources for faculty available on campus, hear about the most recent research on student success and engagement, and join us for some hands-on sessions with topics including tools for student collaboration, software for creating dynamic lectures, Blackboard tools, cloud storage, and a special workshop presented by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). Lunch will be provided, and you can register to win a fabulous door prize!
