From: ACCD Staff [DISTALL@ACCDVM.ACCD.EDU] on behalf of ANA GUZMAN
[aguzman@MAIL.ACCD.EDU]
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 4:37 PM
To: DISTALL@ACCDVM.ACCD.EDU
ALAMO COMMUNITY
COLLEGE DISTRICT
Information
Technologies
Information for
Blackboard Memo
TO:
ALL FACULTY TEACHING INTERNET COURSES AND FACULTY WHO USE WebCT
As you may know, we have had a district-wide
Committee reviewing the internet platforms that are currently being used within
the District. The goal of the Committee was to establish a united
Learning Management system to increase student success in Internet Courses.
As we researched the literature, best practices suggested that one platform
would provide a better service for students and faculty. Once we
standardize technology and students learn a platform such as Blackboard Vista,
they can attend to learning content.
In 2006, Blackboard and WebCT, two major
course management system players, merged and introduced Blackboard Vista.
As a result, the WebCT product support will be discontinued in the near future.
After a thorough review of available
platforms, it was determined that Blackboard Vista would be the best platform
to adopt at ACC because of its strength and its similarities to WebCT which is
what the majority of faculty currently utilize. Blackboard
After the decision was ratified by the
Chancellor’s Executive Committee, we developed a timeline that apparently has
caused some concern. Let me assure you that we will continue to work with
faculty to insure that their internet instruction will continue to be
successful.
The timeline as we projected follows:
·
Outsource
Blackboard Vista help desk function
·
October
– December 2007: The Blackboard Vista pilot program begins at all
campuses. Currently, there are 120 faculty members participating in the
pilot program.
·
January
2008 – Pilot Faculty members begin offering Internet Courses via Blackboard
Vista. The committee also recommended to establish one internet training
program across the colleges which is currently being piloted and will be
implemented through the innovation center (ICT). These centers will be
strengthened with additional staffing to train the number of faculty that will
require training.
·
January
2008 – December 2008: Training of all current WebCT faculty to Blackboard
Vista. Any faculty member who is not currently utilizing WebCT can also
begin the training.
·
January
2009: WebCT discontinued at ACC.
·
January
2009: Blackboard
·
January
2009 – December 2009: Training begins of faculty members who have
utilized other platforms.
·
January
2010: Adoption of Blackboard Vista platform by all internet faculty.
We expect the implementation of Blackboard
Vista to be a smooth one. The district has utilized CIP funding to
purchase the infrastructure necessary for our planned
implementation. We acknowledge that the history of Internet
instruction at the colleges has lacked support at times, but let me assure you
that we are committed to rolling out this implementation with adequate
training, infrastructure and help desk support to achieve our goal of best
community college in Internet Course delivery.
I hope that this information will answer your
questions and help ACC continue to move forward in helping students
succeed. Thank you for your dedication to the Distance Education Program
and to the success of your students. If you have any questions, please
send me an e-mail at aguzman@mail.accd.edu.
As of December 15, 2007 my email address, aguzman@accd.eduwill no longer be valid. Please send all communications to my new email address aguzman@mail.accd.edu.
Dr. Ana M. "Cha" Guzman
President
210.921.5260