Le Moyne College

Did you know that all student organizations can create and maintain a web presence for your group on the College web site? Contact Information Technology to set up a time to discuss your group's needs and take a look at the tools and features we can provide.

All semester long, 20 faculty from across the College participated in a pilot test of Blackboard Version 9.   These faculty used the new version of the learning management software in one or more of their actual classes in order to make a determination of whether to move to the newer version of the software, or to remain at the current version for an additional semester. 

Last week, participating faculty were surveyed to determine the direction that the College should take…Of those responding, 55% indicated that they believed that we should move forward with the new software, 38 % indicated that we should stay on Blackboard 7.1 for one more semester, and 7 % had no opinion.  Based on these results, Information Technology has decided to move forward with plans to move to Blackboard Version 9 for the spring 2010 semester.

Those wishing to move forward made comments like: “I find that it is simply an easier to use system.  Although I am not using all of the features and new features available, I know I will use more features each semester as my own comfort level and time to explore Blackboard continually increases.” and “I like that the grading is much more fluid and less time consuming”.  One faculty member received unsolicited feedback from a student, who had this to say about the new interface: “I am taking two online courses this semester.  Both courses use different versions of the blackboard system…The version that you are piloting is more user friendly then the old version”.

Faculty indicated that they believe that the biggest challenges in moving to the new system would be the learning curve associated with the new interface.   One stated: “I think figuring out where all the different features are in BB9 will be the biggest problem.” Another added “Most of the other features aren't all that different...you need to play around a little, but many of the features are similar enough in basic principle.”

Given these concerns, Information Technology will be offering a host of different training opportunities beginning just prior to the Thanksgiving break and continuing on into January to give faculty ample opportunity to become familiar with the new system and the changes from the current version.  Training will be offered in two formats, traditional in person classes and new on-line, self paced training.

Check out frequently asked questions about the migration to Gmail.  Be sure to check back often as this site will be updated frequently with new questions and answers.

Click here to go to the FAQ page.