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| Term | Development | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2018 | Transition from hosting Blackboard on-campus to a cloud-based version. | The transition from self-hosting to a version hosted in the cloud allows for more frequent bug-fixes and updates with less downtime along with the ability to enable Blackboard's newest features as they are released. |
| Summer 2021 | Ultra Base Navigation is enabled. | This changed the look-and-feel of Blackboard immediately upon login, along with the way that users navigated their courses. This is a required step toward enabling Ultra Course View and introduced new ways of interacting with Blackboard at the top-level. It greatly improved Blackboard's accessibility and the way that it functions on mobile devices. There are additional benefits in this navigation level that are only realized once instructors begin using Ultra Course View. |
| Spring 2022 | Ultra Course View sandboxes are made available by request. | Instructors interested in exploring the features of ultra course view can request a sandbox site to experiment in by emailing help@syr.edu. Exploration is welcome but unsupported at present. |
Summer 2022 | Ultra Course View training is delivered to selected users. | Online Learning Services is partnering with select instructors, primary SITETL alumni, to get feedback on ultra course view settings and training materials. Selected instructors will complete a three-week training program and share their experiences with the new view in preparation for a broader rollout. |
| Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 | Ultra Course View is used by selected instructors in credit-bearing courses. | A vanguard group of instructors that have completed ultra course training will have their courses converted from original to ultra for their credit bearing courses. They will work closely with Online Learning Services for support. Their experiences will inform decisions about system configuration, priority for support documentation, and additional training needs. |
| Fall 2023 | Ultra Course View is made available for credit-bearing course to a wider range of instructors | In consultation with the Academic Technology Advisory Committee, ITS will establish requirements and a process for instructors to opt-in to the use of ultra courses Ultra Course View for credit-bearing courses. |
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