Faculty, I am happy to report that Blackboard Learn has released the Service Pack (SP) 10 upgrade that includes some functionality that you used to enjoy in WebCT Vista. The FerrisConnect version that we currently use is Blackboard Learn SP 9.   

While the look and feel of Blackboard Learn SP 10 is the same, there are three specific enhancements that Ferris faculty have needed and have been patiently waiting for.   

• Blackboard Learn SP 10 has improved statistics on tests so faculty can analyze how students did on each test question in effort to determine the quality of the test question.  
• The text editor has been improved in SP 10 so that you will not get HTML garbage when you paste text that you copied from Microsoft Word.  
• Once we upgrade to SP 10, we can install the new calendar building block, which is scheduled to be released this month.  Next semester, items with a due date will appear in the calendar and people can subscribe to the calendar so that the events will show up on their Google or Outlook calendars!  

The bullet points above lists only a few of the changes in SP10. To see all of the changes, go the the "What Else is New in SP 10" section below.  We need you to log in to the DEVELOPMENT system to check out the upgrade. We need people to test the system so we can fix any problems before turning it on in PRODUCTION on 12/19/12. 

LOG IN AND CHECK IT OUT! 

You can log into our DEVELOPMENT system at https://fsulearndev.ferris.edu/ with your MyFSU username and password.  You should have courses there.  If you have trouble with your courses there or if you need a course, please contact Mary Holmes, Steve Costello, or Scott Randle. 

LOG IN AND TEST IT OUT! 

We REALLY need you to test the system.  If we do not get a good test of the system, then we should not turn it on in our PRODUCTION environment.  The courses might have students in it, so be careful when testing anything that might send them an email (like an announcement).  You will find a guide to help you get started testing athttp://ferris.edu/HTMLS/mytechsupport/ferrisconnect/faculty_support/fcbblearn/pdf/BBSP10TestingChecklist.pdf.   

Please print it and write on it and send it back to me letting me know what you tested and if you found any problems.  In section I, entitled "Browser," please let us know what version you are using.  Do not forget, the new calendar feature will not be there until we receive the building block and turn it on. 


WHAT ELSE IS NEW IN SP 10? 

If you want a quick overview of what is new, check out the link below and click on the "Educators >" link. 

http://blackboardlearn.com/new 


LET BLACKBOARD KNOW! 

Don't forget, if you ever have changes that you want Blackboard to make, please let them know.  Also, be sure to mention if it is something that worked in WebCT Vista and does not work in Learn because Blackboard pays special attention to that. 

http://www.blackboard.com/Contact-Us/Feedback/Suggest-Product-Enhancements/For-Learn.aspx 


Thank you for your help!  It is people like you who help mold the quality of our system.  As I said, we need to test out any bugs that we find.   



Jackie Hughes, Instructional Technology Coordinator 
FERRIS STATE  UNIVERSITY 

Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning 
1010 Campus Dr., FLITE 408E 
Big Rapids, MI  49307 

Office: (231) 591-5439 
Cell:    (325) 428-9300 
Fax:    (231) 591-2914 

Jackie.Hughes@ferris.edu 
http://www.ferris.edu/fctl/ 

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