Blackboard Buyout Discussions

Well, if you ever wonder about coincidences...on the same day, I was given information separately about articles discussing the potential buyers of Blackboard:

Google? - http://blogs.wsj.com/financial-adviser/2009/09/18/five-companies-google-might-buy-next/?mod=yahoo_hs

or Microsoft? - http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/technology_and_learning/5_reasons_microsoft_will_buy_blackboard

or a publisher? or Oracle? or ???

Here's an update on the LMS Market and where the California State University stands with their LMS Initiatives and Strategic Planning:
http://www.deltainitiative.com/index.php/Webinars/webinars.html

-Kathy

Kathy Fernandes
Director of System-wide LMS Initiatives

California State University, Office of the Chancellor
Academic Technology Services
Voice: (530) 898-6294
E-mail: kfernandes@csuchico.edu

Thinking Strategically : Upgrading to Release 9

Deployment options for Bb Learn 9

• In place upgrade (for Legacy Bb systems)

From release 7.x to 9

• Fresh install

Export and import of enrolment and content
CE 4, CE 8, Vista 8, Bb5+ (Archive and restore)

• Co-production with LEC (Learning Environment Connector)
  

CE 4 and CE 8

• Co-Production with LEC leveraging Content and Community system

CE4, CE8 and Vista - Moving

• Co-production without LEC (side by side systems)
  

Running side by side WebCT version and Bb Learn 9
Authentication layer (from portal as example) at the top
Two completely different systems

NO USER DATA WILL BE IMPORTED INTO Bb Learn 9

• Appraise and align to NG

Determine when is the right time to line up with NG
9.2 multi-institutions implementation

Project Definition and success
FACTORS OF CONSIDERATION
Goals and constraints
End-user impact
Policy
Technical
EFFECTIVE PRACTICES
Project planning
Communication
Change management and governance

Decision through Governance:
Institutional Goals
Constraints
Risks and Risk Tolerance
Available Resources

eLearning Operations
Teachning and learning
Content development
Technology
Enrollment Management
Support an Training
Assessment and Improvement processes

End-User Impact:
Training, Support, Teaching and learning practices, content management

Policy
Enrollment management
Security
Teaching and learning policy

Technical Considerations:
Integrations and customizations
Architecture design and capacity planning (projected growth and demand?)
Requirements fo transition
Data lifecyle
New skill requirements
System Monitoring
Determine suitable method and approach

Vista 8 Considerations before moving
Learning Modules coming in 9.1
Course File Management in 9.1
How much do you use the learning context hierarchy? Wait. (doesn't sound like that's in 9.1)
Cross-listing also not in version 9.1
9.2 for multi-institution

Service Level Definition
Expectations, Downtime widnows, escalation paths, response times, data life cycle (keep how long?)

Change Management
Policy, Operation and Technological

Change Management and Governance
Organizational structure/Committee structure
Communication plan

Project Planning
Phases
Definitions of responsibilities/team development
Timelines
Track success measures

Upgrade Testing
Test environment

Strategize which upgrade path
Plan
Inform

Upgrade Plans?
Tell your Bb TSM - submit a ticket so they it is happening at some point in time.

Tons of documentation at the Bb site
Training and Consulting and Managed Hosting
Upgrade team of colleagues - sign up online

Early adopters have discounted and free offerings:
:Life in bb Learn 9 for WebCT CE/Vista" Workshop
Getting Started with Bb Learn 9 Technical Services (Training) - intro to the "new " system and maintain LEC
Managed hosting