Wayne State University - Computing & Information Technology http://computing.wayne.edu/ Thu, 23 May 2013 14:31:30 -0500 PHPSimpl http://www.wayne.edu/inc/global/wayne_state_university.gif http://www.wayne.edu Feed provided by wayne.edu. Click to visit. http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=10555 Due to unforeseen circumstances, the upgrade to Blackboard scheduled for Sunday, December 2, did not take place. We apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced.   The upgrade to Blackboard is now scheduled for Sunday, January 13, starting at 12:01 a.m.  We will send reminders as we approach that date.   [This message was sent via email to Employees on December 3, 2012.] Wayne State University Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=10491  ATTENTION: INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH UPLOADING FILES   There is an intermittent issue that does not affect all users who are trying to upload files to Blackboard. This issue has been escalated to Blackboard, Inc. If you are unable to upload a file to your Blackboard course site, please use the two-step workaround listed below. STEP A - Upload Files While in your Course: Under Control Panel, click Content Collection to expand the menu options, and then click your (Access ID) Content area; Click Upload, then click Upload Files. You can choose the Browse button, or use the Drop and Drag feature to locate and upload your file; Click Submit. STEP B - Link Files to Course  Click the content area in the course menu where you want to place the file (e.g., Course Documents, Content, Assignments, etc…); Click Build Content, under Create click Item; Enter Name, Text (optional). Click Browse Content Collection; On the left side of the window click My Content to expand the menu options, then click the plus (+) sign located to the left of your access ID folder; From the Select File or Folder window, place a check in the checkbox located to the left of the item you wish to add; Click Submit. The file will now appear in your course Content Area. Wayne State University Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=9958 Wayne State University Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=8916 Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) has completed the Blackboard system upgrade and is ready to begin system testing. If you encounter problems during or after the testing period, please submit an email as follows: Faculty can report a Blackboard problem to bbadmin@wayne.edu. Include as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, and error messages received. Students and staff can report a Blackboard problem to the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu. Include as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, and error messages received. For more information about Blackboard 9.1, please visit blackboard.wayne.edu and click on either the Student or Faculty tab. -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, MI computing.wayne.edu   Wayne State University Sat, 12 May 2012 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=8012  [This message was sent via email to Current Students and Faculty on January 26, 2012.] Summary The SafeAssign service will be unavailable from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, for a maintenance upgrade. The Echo 360 lecture capture system will be unavailable from 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 29, for a maintenance upgrade. Affected services During this system maintenance period SafeAssign will be unavailable.  End-users will not be able to submit papers through SafeAssign during the planned downtime and will receive an error message if they attempt to do so. The Echo 360 lecture capture system will be unavailable. Duration This weekend's system maintenance schedule is as follows: SafeAssign: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Echo 360: 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with SafeAssign or Echo, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu.   Wayne State University Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=7733 [This message was sent via email to Employees and Current Students on December 4, 2011] Blackboard is now available. Computing & Information Technology staff have completed a system upgrade and are beginning system testing. During this testing period, you may experience technical difficulties with Blackboard.   If you encounter problems while using Blackboard during or after the testing period: Faculty should email bbadmin@wayne.edu .  Please include as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you are using and any error message received. Students and Staff should email helpdesk@wayne.edu .  Please include as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you are using and any error message received.   We thank you for your patience. For information about Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University http://computing.wayne.edu     Wayne State University Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=7534  [This message was sent via email to Employees on October 31, 2011] Summary Blackboard and Pipeline will be unavailable in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, November 6, 2011, because C&IT staff will be performing normal system maintenance. Affected services During this system maintenance period, the following services will **not** be available: Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection Pipeline self-services, such as course registration, time sheets, etc., as well as the links to Blackboard and Wayne Connect Note: Wayne Connect email will be available during the maintenance period, and can be accessed directly at https://connect.wayne.edu Duration This weekend's system maintenance schedule is as follows: Pipeline: 1 a.m. EDT -- 7 a.m. EST Blackboard: 2 a.m. EDT -- 8 a.m. EST 10 a.m. EST Note: EDT = Eastern Daylight Time, the current time in the Detroit area.  EST = Eastern Standard Time, the "new" local time after Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. EDT Sunday. For assistance The C&IT System Status page is a quick and easy way to check the status of key WSU systems:    http://computing.wayne.edu/status/ If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard or Pipeline, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu.       Wayne State University Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=6951 This message was sent via email to WSU Employees on July 19, 2011. Summary WSU Computing & Information Technology staff will be installing a software update (SP6) to Blackboard 9. Blackboard will be unavailable on Sunday, July 24, 2011, from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Affected Services Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection will not be available during this maintenance period. Duration This Blackboard maintenance will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2011. Note: This extended system maintenance is starting two hours before the weekly system maintenance period scheduled every Sunday morning from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu.   Wayne State University Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=6642 [Sent via email on May 12 to the WSU community by Computing & Information Technology] Only two more days until the Blackboard hardware upgrade! * --when Blackboard is taken offline at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, through all of Sunday, May 15. During this 48-hour period, all Blackboard courses, Organizations, the Content Collection, e-Portfolios, Wimba Live Classroom, SafeAssign, and Blackboard Mobile Learn will be unavailable. (For details, see * below.) By or before Friday, May 13, Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) recommends the following activities take place -- to make sure you are able to continue or complete working in your Blackboard course or WSU training session over the weekend: STUDENTS: View and download course materials you might need on May 14 and 15. Submit assignments or SafeAssignments by May 13. Complete and submit any online assessments due. FACULTY:  Add course content, assessments, and assignments needed for the second week of spring/summer term (if you haven’t already). Avoid creating SafeAssignments, online assignments, discussion boards, blogs, etc. that depend on Blackboard availability over the May 14-15 weekend.  Download your winter and spring 2011 term Gradebooks, if needed that weekend. STAFF:  View and download important materials you might need from a Blackboard Organization or training course. If you follow the recommendations offered above, you won't run into any problems or be further inconvenienced. For questions or assistance, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu or (313) 577-4778. *C&IT is upgrading the hardware that runs Blackboard at Wayne State -- to improve the architecture and processing power of this critical system, expand storage capacity, and provide for disaster recovery. The next step is to migrate the data onto the new platform, and this will take approximately 48 hours (May 14 and 15). -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University
 Detroit, Michigan
 http://computing.wayne.edu  Wayne State University Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=6495 [Sent via e-mail to the WSU community from Computing & Information Technology, April 14, 2011] With the recommendation of the university’s Academic Technology Advisory Group, Blackboard will be taken offline beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, through all of Sunday, May 15. During this 48-hour period, all Blackboard courses, Organizations, the Content Collection, e-Portfolios, Wimba Live Classroom, SafeAssign, and Blackboard Mobile Learn will be unavailable. (For details, see below.) By or before Friday, May 13, Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) recommends the following activities take place -- to make sure you are able to continue or complete working in your Blackboard course or WSU training session: STUDENTS: View and download course materials you might need over the May 14-15 weekend. Submit assignments or SafeAssignments by May 13. Complete and submit any online assessments due. FACULTY:  Add course content, assessments, and assignments needed for the second week of spring/summer term (if you haven’t already). Avoid creating SafeAssignments, online assignments, discussion boards, blogs, etc. that depend on Blackboard availability over the May 14-15 weekend. Download your winter and spring 2011 term Gradebooks, if needed that weekend. STAFF:  View and download important materials you might need from a Blackboard Organization or training course by May 13, before Blackboard goes offline. C&IT is upgrading the hardware that runs Blackboard at Wayne State -- to improve the architecture and processing power of this critical system, expand storage capacity, and provide for disaster recovery. The next step is to migrate the data onto the new platform, and this will take approximately 48 hours (May 14 and 15). Scheduling two days of downtime for a critical system is a challenge at any time of the year. We've been working diligently with the university to plan for this extended maintenance. If you follow the recommendations offered above, you won't run into any problems or be further inconvenienced. For questions or assistance, you can contact the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu or (313) 577-4778. -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University
 Detroit, Michigan
 http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=6051 [Sent via e-mail to WSU deans, chairs, and directors from  Computing & Information Technology, April 11, 2011] Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) is scheduled to replace the hardware that runs the university's Blackboard system. The equipment upgrade, which moves Blackboard to a new, up-to-date operating system, will improve the architecture and processing power of this critical system, and expand storage capacity. Additionally, new equipment has been added for disaster recovery.   C&IT has the new hardware in place, and the next step is to migrate the data onto the new platform. This data migration will take approximately 48 hours. With the recommendation of the university's Academic Technology Advisory Group, Blackboard will be taken offline for two full days beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, through all of Sunday, May 15. During this 48-hour work window, all Blackboard courses, Organizations, the Content Collection, e-Portfolios, Wimba Live Classroom, SafeAssign, and Blackboard Mobile Learn will be unavailable. C&IT realizes that Blackboard's unavailability during this time could be an inconvenience for students, faculty, and staff. We ask that you encourage those in your school/college or department to keep the following in mind: Blackboard will be offline during the first weekend of spring/summer classes. Please make sure late-hire instructors are aware of this. Those teaching winter and spring semesters will need to download a copy of their Blackboard Gradebooks by Friday, May 13, if needed over the weekend. Flyers will be distributed shortly to departments for posting in visible places. Thank you for your assistance during our efforts to continually improve the Blackboard environment at Wayne State. If you have any questions regarding this Blackboard downtime, please contact Daren Hubbard, Senior Director, C&IT Academic and Core Applications Department, at daren.hubbard@wayne.edu or (313) 577-9489. -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University
 Detroit, Michigan
 http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5530 [Sent via email to WSU Faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistants from Computing & Information Technology] Following the Blackboard maintenance activity this past weekend, there are four changes we would like to bring to your attention: 1. Blackboard: Clear Attempts for All Users This is an enhancement to the Grade Center that allows one-click clearing of all students' attempts for an assessment or an assignment. For instructions on how to 'Clear Attempts for All Users', see: http://kb.wayne.edu/index.php?action=article&id=432&relid=18 2. Entering a grade: Override versus Edit Previously, instructors were able to grade an active assessment or assignment in the spreadsheet view (as evidenced by the '!' symbol). Now, entering a grade in this manner is possible, but does not eliminate the '!', which remains next to the grade. Note: Your students correctly see the grade entered by the instructor and no indication of an ungraded attempt. To avoid persistence of the '!' after grading an assignment or assessment, work instead from 'View Grade Details' and use 'Edit Grade'. --> For Quick Text instructions on how to use the 'Edit Grade' function, see: http://kb.wayne.edu/index.php?action=article&id=131&relid=19 --> For Quick Video instructions, see: http://www.screencast.com/t/ZWQzMjU1OTg 3. StudyMate Previously, only courses in which one was enrolled as instructor, TA, or course builder would display in the list of courses when deploying a StudyMate item. Now, courses in which one is enrolled as a student also display, but, when attempting to publish to such courses, you will correctly get an error message. 4. Respondus Previously, only courses in which one was enrolled as instructor, TA, or course builder would display in the list of courses when deploying a Respondus item. Now, courses in which one is enrolled as a student also display, but, when attempting to publish to such courses, you will correctly get an error message. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact C&IT's Blackboard Support Team at (313) 577-5974, or email bbadmin@wayne.edu. -- Blackboard Support Team Learning Management Systems Support WSU Computing & Information Technology Technology Resource Center in Purdy-Kresge Library (313) 577-9457; bbadmin@wayne.edu http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard Wayne State University Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5495 [Sent via e-mail to WSU employees from Computing & Information Technology] Summary WSU Computing & Information Technology staff will be installing software to fix reported known issues in Blackboard 9. Blackboard will be unavailable on Sunday, January 9, 2011, from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Affected services Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection will not be available during this maintenance period. Duration This Blackboard maintenance will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2011. Note: This extended system maintenance is starting two hours before the weekly system maintenance period scheduled every Sunday morning from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Wayne State University Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5453 [Sent via email to WSU faculty from Computing & Information Technology] Happy Holidays from the Blackboard Support Team! It has been a busy semester, as you can see "by the numbers" in this issue of the Blackboard Insider. And there's more: Library Resources in your Blackboard courses A New Blackboard Warrior More help for creating a Weighted Grade column To view the Blackboard Insider online, or download it as a pdf file, click the following link: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/blackboard-insider-dec2010.pdf  We hope you continue to find our newsletter informative and interesting.  Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future issues.  -- The Blackboard Support Team Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology bbadmin@wayne.edu (313) 577-9457 Wayne State University Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5114 [Sent via email to WSU employees and current students from Computing & Information Technology]   As of October 3, at approximately 5 a.m., the Blackboard system at Wayne State University is available. The Learning Management Systems Support Team in Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) has completed system maintenance and is ready to begin system testing. If you do encounter problems during or after the testing period, it would be extremely helpful if you submitted a report as follows: Faculty can report a Blackboard problem by sending an e-mail to bbadmin@wayne.edu. Please include as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, error messages received. Students and staff can report a Blackboard problem by e-mailing the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu with as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, error messages received.  For information about Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit:  http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard  -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Sun, 03 Oct 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5093 [Sent via e-mail to WSU employees from Computing & Information Technology] Summary Computing & Information Technology staff will be installing software to fix remaining problems in Blackboard 9. Blackboard will be unavailable on Sunday, October 3, 2010, from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Affected services Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection will not be available during this maintenance period. Duration Blackboard maintenance will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, October 3, 2010. Note: This extended system maintenance is starting two hours before the weekly system maintenance period scheduled every Sunday morning from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Wayne State University Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5027 [Sent via e-mail to WSU faculty and graduate teaching assistants from Computing & Information Technology] Welcome back to Wayne State, and to Blackboard! Looking for a fast and easy way to create online and print quizzes and exams? Interested in how Blackboard addresses issues of accessibility? Want to know more about technology training workshops for Wimba,  Blackboard plagiarism detection, or engaging students with discussion boards? Then you'll want to read the latest Blackboard Insider.In this September 2010 issue, you'll find the following articles: Spotlight on: Creating exams with Respondus Blackboard Accessibility Grant Opportunity Have a Blackboard enhancement idea? Learn more! Upcoming Blackboard events To view the Blackboard Insider online, or download it as a pdf file, click the following link: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/blackboard-insider-sept2010.pdf We hope you continue to find our newsletter informative and interesting.  Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future issues. -- Blackboard Support Team Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology bbadmin@wayne.edu • (313) 577-9747   Wayne State University Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=5028 [Sent via e-mail to WSU faculty and GTAs from Computing & Information Technology] Welcome to a new academic year! Over the summer, we've been working on a new Blackboard support resource that will give you help in several different formats.   Log in to Blackboard (blackboard.wayne.edu) and click on the new Faculty Resources tab for easy access to quick print and video tutorials, guides, and descriptions of Blackboard features. Also, learn more about tools that are integrated with Blackboard, such as Wimba Live Classroom, SafeAssign plagiarism detection software, and Respondus for creating tests offline for upload to your course. But that's not all. C&IT's Blackboard Team has been working hard on other things as well to make Blackboard work better for you: Blackboard bug fixes in June resolved several more of the known problems with Blackboard 9. Wimba Live Classroom was upgraded and now includes a pop-up reminder to start recording, and an MP3 archive download option available right in your Blackboard course.  A SafeAssign upgrade in July resolved issues that appeared during the summer semester. More Blackboard and Wimba print and video tutorials have been added to WSU's searchable knowledgebase of technology-related questions, at kb.wayne.edu. The Blackboard Squad continues to visit on site with faculty and instructors -- to answer questions, demonstrate Blackboard features, and offer one-on-one consultations. Need help getting ready for fall?  Contact C&IT's Blackboard Support Team with questions, as well as requests for combined course sites and activating Wimba:   email bbadmin@wayne.edu or call (313) 577-9457. -- Blackboard Support Team Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology (313) 577-9457 Technology Resource Center Purdy/Kresge Library Wayne State University Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4653 [Sent via e-mail to WSU employees from Computing & Information Technology] Summary Computing & Information Technology staff will be installing software to fix several of the remaining problems in Blackboard 9. Blackboard will be unavailable on Sunday, June 6, 2010, from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Affected services Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection will not be available during this maintenance period. Duration Blackboard maintenance will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, June 6, 2010. Note: This extended system maintenance is starting two hours before the weekly system maintenance period scheduled every Sunday morning from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Wayne State University Tue, 18 May 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4567 [Sent via e-mail to WSU faculty, graduate teaching assistants, deans and directors, department chairs from Computing & Information Technology] How many WSU Winter 2010 courses used Blackboard? What was the percentage increase in Blackboard use between Winter term 2009 and Winter 2010? What are the Top 5 Departments using Blackboard? Find the answers in the final Blackboard Insider - Wrap Up Edition for 2009-2010! In this May 2010 issue: Blackboard by the numbers: For the 2009-2010 Academic Year Upcoming Blackboard training and support events Summer at the Technology Resource Center - TRC To view the Blackboard Insider online, or download it as a pdf file, click the following link: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/blackboard-insider-may2010.pdf We hope you continue to find our newsletter informative and interesting.  Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future issues. -- Cindy Sulad, Director Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology (313) 577-9747   Wayne State University Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4546 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing and Information Technology] The following problem with posting Announcements in an unavailable Blackboard course site has been reported:   Function(s):  Notifications, Announcements, Course Availability   Description of problem:  The posting of a new or copied-over Announcement into an unavailable course is generating an e-mail notification to students enrolled in the course in which the Announcement has been posted. Even when the course has not been made available by the instructor, students clicking on the link to the Announcement are able to gain access to the course Announcements page. This may or may not be a problem depending on the content of the posted Announcement.    Workaround:  Do not post any Announcements in Spring/Summer courses (or beyond) that you do not want your students to see, unless you are ready to make that course available. (To make a course available, see instructions in the WSU Knowledgebase at http://kb.wayne.edu/index.php?article=96.)   Problem Resolution:  Blackboard, Inc. reports that this behavior will be addressed in a future update.   If you have any questions about this Blackboard Alert, please contact the Blackboard Support Team at bbadmin@wayne.edu or (313) 577-9457.   -- Learning Management Systems Support Team Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4562 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing and Information Technology] The new Blackboard Insider is now available! Keep up to date with Blackboard news, tips, and resources for WSU faculty. In this issue: Online tools encourage student participation Maryfran Barber: Blackboard Warrior Blackboard training and support Have an idea for making Blackboard better? To view or download the newsletter online (as a pdf file), click the following link:   http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/blackboard-insider-mar2010.pdf We hope you continue to find our newsletter informative and interesting. Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. -- Cindy Sulad, Director Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology (313) 577-9747 Wayne State University Tue, 23 Mar 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4348 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing and Information Technology] Dear Blackboard Faculty, The Blackboard Support Team has just released the third and final group of tutorials for the Blackboard Grade Center. Getting around the Grade Center: During the Semester is now available at: kb.wayne.edu/index.php?article=1974 Using text and video tutorials, these resources take you through common Grade Center tools and functions used during the semester, including how to: view or grade Assignments for one student and for all students return a graded Assignment leave feedback on an Assignment change how test attempts are scored grade Assessments in Grade Center create four types of Smart Views: Group, Benchmark, Focus, and Investigate view Column Statistics include all users using Column Statistics use Attempt Statistics switch Column Statistics Quick Tip: For shortcuts and viewing options that can isolate student detail and help the Grade Center load faster, check out the Smart View features. Haven't used Grade Center this semester? You still can use the Grade Center at this time. Enter your students' grades in the Grade Center spreadsheet. Each student can then see, using the My Grades tool, only his/her own grades that you have chosen to display. Note that students say this is their favorite feature about Blackboard, and they really appreciate being able to see where they stand. Other Grade Center resources are also available: April 7: Blackboard Squad Grade Center demo, 1:30-3:00 p.m. in 4339 FAB (no registration required) OTL Hands-on Workshops – see the calendar at: www.otl.wayne.edu Getting Started with the Grade Center Guide at: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/gradecenter-getting-started-082009.pdf -- Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology bbadmin@wayne.edu computing.wayne.edu/blackboard Wayne State University Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4274 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing & Information Technology] Three more known problems have been fixed or changed as a result of the software updates and patch C&IT staff installed on February 21, 2010: Function: e-Portfolio Description of problem: Users are unable to add an entire folder to a portfolio. Problem Status: Resolved 2/21/2010 Function: List All Users Description of change: From the 'Starts with' dropdown menu, choose 'Not Blank' and then click Go. You also may enter a percent sign (%) in the Search textbox and click Go to retrieve a list of users enrolled in the course. Problem Status: Changed 2/21/2010 Function: Font Color Description of problem: When creating new content items in any course, the 'content name color' selected does not get applied after clicking 'submit.' No error message is displayed. Problem Status: Resolved 2/21/2010 If you have any questions about this Blackboard Alert update, please contact C&IT's Blackboard Support Team at bbadmin@wayne.edu or (313) 577-9457. -- Learning Management Systems Support Team Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4126 [Sent via e-mail to current students and employees from WSU Computing and Information Technology] As of 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2010, Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) staff have completed Blackboard system testing, following the software maintenance work done early this morning. No new problems were identified as a result of this maintenance. Again, we thank you for your patience and understanding. For information on using Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard For additional assistance, contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Wayne State University Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4125 [Sent via e-mail to current students and employees from Computing & Information Technology] As of approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2010, the Blackboard system at Wayne State University is available. This includes all Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection. Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) staff have finished installing updates to fix known problems in Blackboard 9 and a patch to prevent system availability and performance issues. System testing is ready to begin. If you encounter problems during or after the system testing, it would be extremely helpful for you to submit a Blackboard problem report as follows: Faculty: From a Web browser, go to https://calltracker.wayne.edu/blackboard.php and fill out the online form with as many details as possible. Students and staff: E-mail the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu with as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, error messages received. Thank you for understanding and patience. For information on using Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard -- Learning Management System Support Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4149 [Sent via e-mail to current students and employees from WSU Computing & Information Technology] Summary Blackboard will be unavailable on Sunday, February 21, 2010, from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. for system maintenance. During this time, Computing & Information Technology staff will install updates to fix several known issues in Blackboard 9. They also will install a patch to prevent re-occurrence of the February 3 problem that affected system availability and performance. Affected services Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection will not be available during this maintenance period. Duration Blackboard maintenance will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, February 21, 2010. Note: This extended system maintenance is starting two hours before C&IT's scheduled weekly system maintenance period (2 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Sunday morning). For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4058 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing & Information Technology] Computing and Information Technology would like to provide you with additional information regarding the Blackboard performance issues and outage on Wednesday, February 3. At around 4:30 p.m., we started experiencing a problem with Blackboard. For users, response time slowed significantly. In order to recover from the effects of this problem, a full database and application shutdown and restart were required. From approximately 5:30 to 7:05 p.m., Blackboard was unavailable while we performed these procedures. Blackboard Inc. has released a Service Pack to fix this and some other problems in Blackboard 9. We are scheduled to install this Service Pack on Sunday morning, February 21. As always, we thank you for your continued patience and support of our ongoing efforts to improve Blackboard availability and performance. -- Learning Management Systems Support Computing and Information Technology Technology Resource Center Purdy/Kresge Library Wayne State University Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4090 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing and Information Technology] As promised, here is another issue of The Blackboard Insider to keep you up to date with Blackboard news, tips, and resources. In this issue: Help students make the best use of your Blackboard course materials Christine Walker joins C&IT's Bb Support Team Blackboard training and support events To view or download the newsletter online (as a pdf file), click the following link: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/blackboard-insider-feb2010.pdf We hope you continue to find our newsletter informative and interesting. Please let us know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. -- Cindy Sulad, Director Learning Management Systems Support Computing & Information Technology (313) 577-9747 Wayne State University Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4091 [Sent via e-mail to faculty from WSU Computing & Information Technology] Dear Blackboard Faculty, The second in the Getting around the Grade Center series -- Getting around the Grade Center: Setting up your Grade Center -- is now available at: http://kb.wayne.edu/index.php?article=1973 C&IT's Blackboard Support Team has created text and video tutorials to help you: create a column in Grade Center delete a column in Grade Center re-order Grade Center columns using Column Organization freeze Grade Center columns using Column Organization create Categories modify Grade Center column Categories using Column Organization how to show Grade Center columns using Column Organization how to use Grading Periods Coming soon... Getting around the Grade Center: Semester Tasks. You may wish to explore other Grade Center training and support resources, including: Office for Teaching & Learning's Blackboard workshops calendar under Events & Calendar at: http://www.otl.wayne.edu/events_index.php Getting Started with the Grade Center on C&IT's Website at: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard/gradecenter-getting-started-082009.pdf We welcome your comments and suggestions for future online materials. -- Learning Management Systems Support bbadmin@wayne.edu Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Wayne State University Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4150 [Sent via e-mail to current students and employees from WSU Computing & Information Technology] Summary The Blackboard system at Wayne State University will be unavailable from 12:01 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2010. Computing & Information Technology's Computing Services staff will be performing maintenance on the Blackboard servers. Affected services Blackboard courses and course materials, organizations, e-Portfolios, and files stored in the Content Collection will not be available during this maintenance period. Duration Blackboard system maintenance will take place between 12:01 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2010. Note: This extended system maintenance is starting two hours before C&IT's scheduled weekly system maintenance period (2 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Sunday morning). For assistance If you have any questions or need assistance with Blackboard, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Wayne State University Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4300 [Sent via e-mail to current students and employees from WSU Computing & Information Technology] As of 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2009, the Blackboard system at Wayne State University is available. The Learning Management Systems Support Team in Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) has finished the maintenance upgrade and is ready to begin system testing. If you do encounter problems during or after the testing period, it would be extremely helpful if you submitted a report as follows: Faculty can report a Blackboard problem by going to https://calltracker.wayne.edu/blackboard.php and filling out the online form with as many details as possible. Students and staff can report a Blackboard problem by e-mailing the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu with as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, error messages received. Thank you for your patience and understanding. For information about Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4304 [Sent via e-mail to WSU employees and students from WSU Computing & Information Technology] As of 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, the Blackboard system is available and functional. System testing is almost complete, and C&IT staff have identified no new issues as a result of the critical file system upgrade. Again, we thank you for your patience and understanding. For information about Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard. For assistance, contact the C&IT Help Desk at (313) 577-4778 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:00:00 -0500 http://computing.wayne.edunews-item.php?id=4305 [Sent via e-mail to WSU employees and students from WSU Computing & Information Technology] As of 9:35 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, the Blackboard course management and learning system is again available. Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) staff apologize for the delay in finishing the work needed to complete this critical file system upgrade today. We are now ready to begin system testing that will take approximately eight hours (until 5 30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19). During this testing period, you may experience technical difficulties with Blackboard, so please take this into consideration. If you do encounter problems during or after the testing period, it would be extremely helpful if you submitted a report as follows: Faculty can report a Blackboard problem by going to https://calltracker.wayne.edu/blackboard.php and filling out the online form with as many details as possible. Note, however, that due to the WSU Pipeline upgrade on Sunday, July 19, you will not be able to check for updates (as stated on this form) until Monday, July 20. Students and staff can report a Blackboard problem by e-mailing the C&IT Help Desk at helpdesk@wayne.edu with as many details as possible, including date, time, Web browser you're using, error messages received. Thank you for understanding our need to schedule this critical system maintenance outside of C&IT’s regular maintenance period every Sunday morning. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. For information about Blackboard 9 at Wayne State, visit: http://computing.wayne.edu/blackboard. -- Computing & Information Technology Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan http://computing.wayne.edu Wayne State University Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:00:00 -0500