[BB] Kaltura (video server) Issue Resolved in Blackboard Learn

Bb List Members,

We moved Blackboard Learn from a spring 2016 release to the latest 2018 release, with some additional changes in the underlying architecture. The primary problems we/you encountered were with add-ons (Building Blocks). 

We recently received, tested, and installed a new Kaltura building block. Kaltura is a video server, used by some professors to record and distribute material to their students. Links and embeds to material previously stored in Kaltura were not working. Now they are.

To see the issues that you may still encounter, go to the https://lpt.it.miami.edu/updates/2017/12/blackboard-learn-upgrade-downtime/ web

Blackboard Learn Upgrade – 27 Dec 2017 – Blackboard News ... lpt.it.miami.edu The Blackboard Learn system at the University of Miami has been upgraded and returned to service at noon on Saturday, January 6, 2018. The content and material on ...

-- Bill --

Re: [BB] Blackboard Learn “New Features” Webinar - Thur, 1/25/18 @ 3 pm

The registration URL in my previous message was broken. Sorry. Here is a link that should work. This is to register for the Blackboard Learn webinar on Thursday, 1/25/18, 3 pm, on new teaching and learn features in Blackboard Learn. 

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_content=2018_HEBITS_Webinar_LastCall_Jan25&eventid=1550496&sessionid=1&key=059AE1D582F16578646B7A9E92057323&regTag=&sourcepage=register

If you cannot attend, usually registering means that you will get sent a link to the recording.

-- Bill --

(The correct link has "&regTag=" toward the end. The bad link has "®Tag=". Somewhere in the process of cutting and pasting the "&reg" must have become the copyright symbol. Argh! Sorry.)

---

From: Vilberg, Bill
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 1:17:45 PM
To: Bb List
Cc: Azaiza, Khitam; Colon, Ineabelle
Subject: Blackboard Learn "New Features" Webinar - Thur, 1/25/18 @ 3 pm

 

Bb List Members,
 
After our winter upgrade we are on the absolutely newest version of Blackboard Learn. We will get updates about once a month. Staying aware of new features can be hard, but important, if we want to get the greatest return on investment for this system.
 
A BITS (Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series) webinar on Wed, 1/25/18 at 3 pm will go over some of the teaching- and learning-oriented features in the new system. I encourage those people who design course sites or work with faculty to participate in this event.
 
--- BEGIN INVITATION INSERT ---
From: Tara Thompson - tara.thompson@blackboard.com <tara.thompson@blackboard.com>
Subject: Training Program Development Community of Practice: Free Learning Opportunity for Blackboard Users!
 
The Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series Presents Making the most of your Learn upgrade: Top features you can use now!
 
Has your institution upgraded to a new Blackboard Learn release over winter break? Wondering what sorts of teaching- and learning-oriented features you'll now be able to access?
 
If your institution has recently upgraded to one of the currently supported releases of Blackboard Learn, you likely have access to new features and workflows that weren't available to you last term. Join Blackboard Learn experts in this session to learn about end-user features accessible with an upgrade to a recent release, plus get a peek at tools you'll be able to use in future terms as we preview features of the upcoming 2018 release! Learn more and/or register online at https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_content=2018_HEBITS_Webinar_LastCall_Jan25&eventid=1550496&sessionid=1&key=059AE1D582F16578646B7A9E92057323®Tag=&sourcepage=register
 
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018
Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Standard Time 
Duration: 1 hour
--- END INVITATION INSERT ---

Sincerely,
- Bill -

[BB] Blackboard Learn “New Features” Webinar - Thur, 1/25/18 @ 3 pm

Bb List Members,

After our winter upgrade we are on the absolutely newest version of Blackboard Learn. We will get updates about once a month. Staying aware of new features can be hard, but important, if we want to get the greatest return on investment for this system.

A BITS (Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series) webinar on Wed, 1/25/18 at 3 pm will go over some of the teaching- and learning-oriented features in the new system. I encourage those people who design course sites or work with faculty to participate in this event.

--- BEGIN INVITATION INSERT ---
From: Tara Thompson - tara.thompson@blackboard.com <tara.thompson@blackboard.com>
Subject: Training Program Development Community of Practice: Free Learning Opportunity for Blackboard Users!
 
The Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series Presents Making the most of your Learn upgrade: Top features you can use now!

Has your institution upgraded to a new Blackboard Learn release over winter break? Wondering what sorts of teaching- and learning-oriented features you'll now be able to access?

If your institution has recently upgraded to one of the currently supported releases of Blackboard Learn, you likely have access to new features and workflows that weren't available to you last term. Join Blackboard Learn experts in this session to learn about end-user features accessible with an upgrade to a recent release, plus get a peek at tools you'll be able to use in future terms as we preview features of the upcoming 2018 release! Learn more and/or register online at https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&utm_content=2018_HEBITS_Webinar_LastCall_Jan25&eventid=1550496&sessionid=1&key=059AE1D582F16578646B7A9E92057323®Tag=&sourcepage=register

Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018
Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Standard Time 
Duration: 1 hour
--- END INVITATION INSERT ---

Sincerely,
- Bill -

[BB] New Blackboard Learn ATTENDANCE Feature

Blackboard List Members,

With our recent upgrade of Blackboard Learn, a new Attendance feature is available. It allows faculty to (manually) indicate which students are present/absent for each/any class meetings. Students can see the details from My Grades. You can choose whether or not to include attendance in the grade calculation. 

If you want to investigate this new feature in Blackboard Learn, go to the https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Grade/Manual_Attendance  web page and learn how it works. Then try it out and experiment.

This is a new feature and we (Learning Platforms) know almost nothing about it, beyond what is on the web page provided above. If you decide to try it out and find it useful or figure out a good workflow, please let me know. We plan on providing more details on this feature in the future, including how to guides and workshops. Sharing your experiences with us will help us in that process.

Have a GREAT semester.

-- Bill --

[BB] Math Equation Editor in Blackboard Learn problem resolved

Blackboard List Member,

One program resolved: Images are showing up properly from the Math Equation Editor in Blackboard Learn. After the upgrade they were not visible. Now they are working correctly.

Review the current issues in Blackboard Learn at https://lpt.it.miami.edu/updates/2017/12/blackboard-learn-upgrade-downtime

We sincerely apologize for the issues that have come up because of the upgrade and hope that you have a great semester.

-- Bill --

[BB] Blackboard Issues

Dear Blackboard List Members,

There are a number of issues still active with Blackboard Learn. 

1. The real-time data feed from CaneLink to Blackboard Learn is not working. Students' course registrations are being updated once a day. Drops are not currently being processed.

2. Grade center scores display with five decimal places.

3. There is a problem using drag-and-drop to reorder content and grade center items.

4. The Course Menu is hidden in narrow browser windows.

Other problems are related to the equation editor, NBC Learn videos, Kaltura videos, and Softchalk material that is tied to the grade center.

See https://lpt.it.miami.edu/updates/2017/12/blackboard-learn-upgrade-downtime/ for details and the up-to-the-minute list of issues.

We apologize for these problems as we begin a new semester. We are working with various groups to get these problems resolved as quickly as possible.

-- Bill --

William (Bill) Vilberg

Director of Learning Platforms

Academic Technologies, Information Technology

University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

305-284-3944

Re: [BB] BB Digest - 11 Jan 2018 to 13 Jan 2018 (#2018-6)

UNSUBSCRIBE

Thanks,
Kesha
____________________________
Kesha D. Grayson
Supervisor, Technology
Student Center Complex | 2420L Whitten University Center
PH: (305) 284-1512 | scctechnology@miami.edu
Direct: (305) 284-5150 | kgrayson@miami.edu



-----Original Message-----
From: UM Blackboard Announcements [mailto:BB@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU] On Behalf Of UM Listserv
Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2018 12:00 AM
To: BB@LISTSERV.MIAMI.EDU
Subject: BB Digest - 11 Jan 2018 to 13 Jan 2018 (#2018-6)

There is 1 message totaling 75 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

1. Blackboard Learn maintenance scheduled early Sunday morning

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2018 21:42:02 +0000
From: "Vilberg, Bill" <bill.vilberg@MIAMI.EDU>
Subject: Blackboard Learn maintenance scheduled early Sunday morning

Bb mailing list member,


Our Blackboard Learn system will undergo maintenance activities early Sunday morning, 1/14/2018. It will be unavailable from 12:01 am until 5:00 am EST. We apologize if this is an inconvenience and we hope you have a great semester.


-- Bill --

William (Bill) Vilberg
Director of Learning Platforms
Academic Technologies, Information Technology University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
305-284-3944

------------------------------

End of BB Digest - 11 Jan 2018 to 13 Jan 2018 (#2018-6)
*******************************************************

[BB] Blackboard Learn maintenance scheduled early Sunday morning

Bb mailing list member,

Our Blackboard Learn system will undergo maintenance activities early Sunday morning, 1/14/2018. It will be unavailable from 12:01 am until 5:00 am EST. We apologize if this is an inconvenience and we hope you have a great semester.

-- Bill --

William (Bill) Vilberg

Director of Learning Platforms

Academic Technologies, Information Technology

University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

305-284-3944

[BB] Blackboard available again

 

Service Alert    Please be advised that Blackboard is available again after the Single Sign-On problem we experienced last night. We thank you for your patience in this matter and apologize for any inconvenience.  If you have questions related to this issue, please contact the UMIT Blackboard Help Desk: (305) 284-3949, blackboardhelp@miami.edu.   Thank you.

/umiamiit               @umitsupport

 

[BB] Blackboard is experiencing logging issues at this time.

Service Alert    Please be advised that due to a Single Sign-On issue, Blackboard may be unavailable. UMIT Learning Platforms is currently working to resolve this issue, and will restore your access as soon as possible. Details will be provided as information becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience.   If you have questions related to this issue, please contact the UMIT Blackboard Help Desk: (305) 284-3949, blackboardhelp@miami.edu.   Thank you.

/umiamiit              @umitsupport

[BB] Reminder - Fall 2017 Blackboard Learn Course Setup Assistance

Dear Blackboard Users,

 

We are here to assist you with the tasks that are often done when setting up a Blackboard course site. Let us know if we can do any of these, or anything else, to assist you at the start of this semester. Send email to learningplatforms@miami.edu, call 305-284-3949, or when available fill out the form, to make a request or get assistance.

1.       COURSE SITE AVAILABILITY

When created, course sites are unavailable to students. This way you can set them up before the students access them. Call or email us and we can make them available to your students, or you can follow these easy steps to do it yourself:

·         Article - Instructions for using Qwickly to make course available

·         Video - Instructions for using Qwickly to make course available

 

2.       COURSE SITE MERGE

If you teach multiple sections of a course, or have both graduate and undergraduate students in the same course, it may be easier to combine them into one Blackboard course site, rather than have a separate site for each section. With the merged site, you can post your course material once rather than posting it in each section’s site separately. Tell us what sites you want merged and we will take care of it for you.

·         Request a course merge

Note: Courses should be merged before any student activity takes place in the course sites for the various sections. User records, such as discussion board posts, grades, and assessment attempts, will not show up in the new, merged, site.

3.       COURSE SITE AUGMENT

We can do a course "augment" rather than a course merge if you would like. An augment maintains all of your original course sites and adds one additional master site with all of the students from your various sections. With the course augment option you can use the master site to post course material in one location, and reserve the individual section course sites for assignments or tests specific to each course section.  Fill out the form below or call to request a course augment.

·         Video – Difference between course merges and augments (15 minutes)

·         Form to request a course augment

4.        COURSE SITE COPY

If you have material from a prior semester that you would like to copy into the course site you are setting up, you can call or email us, or fill out the form below, and we will do a course copy for you. You can also follow the steps at the link below to do it yourself:

·         Course Copy instructions

·         Video about course copies (7 minutes)

·         Form to request a course copy

 

Note: You need to be enrolled as an instructor in both the source and destination courses sites in order to perform a Course Copy. User records, such as discussion board posts, grades, and assessment attempts will not be copied. Do NOT copy course enrollments.

 

5.       ADDING TA’S & OTHER ENROLLMENTS TO A COURSE SITE

Teaching assistants are not added automatically to your class, they have to be entered manually. Email or call us and will be happy to do it for you, or you can do it yourself using the instructions at the following link:

·         Article - Instructions for Enrolling Users to Blackboard instructions

·         Video - Instructions for Enrolling Users to Blackboard instructions

 

 

Please feel free to contact us for any requests and issues you might have.  Our phone number is 305-284-3949 or you can email us at learningplatforms@miami.edu.

HOURS:

Monday - Thursday (Excluding University Holidays)

9AM - 9PM

 

Friday

9AM - 6PM

 

Saturday - Sunday

9AM - 2PM

 

Learning Platforms Team

(P): 305-284-3949

[BB] Blackboard Upgrade - Current Issues

Bb List Members,

We have created a web page with the current issues related to the Blackboard Learn upgrade. It can be found at https://lpt.it.miami.edu/updates/2017/12/blackboard-learn-upgrade-downtime

Please check it out to see what issues we know about and, in some cases, how to work around them.

-- Bill --

[BB] Blackboard Learn updated and available

Blackboard List members,

UM's Blackboard Learn system has been updated and returned to service. If you experience any issues with it, please send learningplatforms@miami.edu a detailed description, so we can replicate and research the issue.

— Bill —

[BB] Status of Blackboard Learn update

Bb List Members,

I just wanted to touch base with a status report on the Blackboard Learn upgrade. We are scheduled to make courses.miami.edu available again to all users around noon on Saturday, January 6, 2018. 

We are currently doing final acceptance testing of the system. We are being assisted by a great acceptance team made up of instructional designers. They are each reviewing the courses they developed for their programs. We hope that they will identify any final issues that might exist. If we don't find any show-stoppers, we will take final possession of the system on Friday afternoon so that we can finish our configuration steps. If we do find any major issue we will bring up the old system and use it again this semester. That is unlikely, but still possible.

We had hoped to have the new Blackboard Learn system online around January 1, 2018. Two issues were encountered during the upgrade that delayed the release date.

At the start of the upgrade, a step that was expected to take one hour took 39 hours to complete. (tl;dr) This step moved old files from the course file system into the newer Content System. The delay was attributed to the fact that we had more old files stored in courses than expected and a number of the files were huge video files that locked up the process. After many restarts the problem completed successfully.

After the upgrade steps were completed, the system was running much slower than expected. (tl;dr) After a number of days of investigation, Blackboard found and corrected the problems and returned the system to normal response times. To fix the problem they resized the system and added some missing indexes to the database. 

Rick, Brett, and I are continuing to investigate minor issues. There are no major issues outstanding at this time, but we want to give the acceptance team through Friday morning to see what they encounter.

We apologize for the lengthy outage. We know how many people have come to depend on Blackboard being available. Hopefully, this move from a Managed Hosting to a Cloud Hosting solution will mean that our system will remain current with the latest features that Blackboard has developed, and will not require any further upgrade outages of days at a time. Our goal is to make the technology as invisible as possible. You expect it to be there and it is. Our goal is to be available to answer questions and assist you when you run into trouble using the system. We are looking forward to a productive 2018.

-- Bill --