FACULTY EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE

Blackboard Update to Service Pack 8

User Support services will be upgrading Blackboard to Service Pack 8 beginning December 31st at 2pm and ending January 1st at 11pm. Blackboard will be unavailable during this entire window. Service Pack 8 promises the look and fluidity of a more modern web-based application and will give a much-improved user experience. The look will still be familiar to both faculty and students, and the functionality remains unchanged.
Among the changes are:

• "Quick Setup Guide" for easy course creation and better course creation choices
• Cleaner, more modern interface
• Automatic quiz re-grading and negative marking
• Better student activity reporting
• Course-to-course navigation for easy browsing

What's New in Blackboard Service Pack 8

PDF

Blackboard SP 8 Demos

If you would like a demonstration of the new interface,  please email ittraining@ric.edu to let us know which SP8 demo you would like to attend.

• November 28th 12:30-1:30pm in Horace Mann 189
• December 12th 12:30-1:30pm in Horace Mann 189
• December 13th 6-7pm in Horace Mann 189

 

FAQ:

• Will I need to do anything to my courses when we upgrade?
  • No, the update will automatically upgrade everything that is already on Blackboard.
• Can I work on my courses before the upgrade takes place?
  • Yes, you can work on your Spring courses before the upgrade takes place.
• Will I be able to work in Blackboard during the time it is being upgraded?
  • No, Blackboard will be down for the entire time it is being upgraded (Dec31st, 2pm-Jan1,1pm)\

Please feel free to contact the RIC Helpdesk for any type of Blackboard question (e.g., pedagogical, technological, administrative, etc.). The Help Desk can be reached at 456-8803, helpdesk@ric.edu, or http://myworkorders.ric.edu. Your request will be routed to the appropriate expert staff member within USS or FCTL as part of our seamless support model for Blackboard.