Texas Tech University

Blackboard Learn 9.1 Migration Information

 

Faculty and Instructors will have the option to migrate existing courses from our current LMS, Blackboard CE 8, into our new LMS, Blackboard Learn 9.1. They also have the option to develop their courses from scratch in Blackboard Learn 9.1. Which option will work best for you? Here are some pertinant questions and answers regarding migration and development from scratch.

Should I migrate or re-create my courses?
You will have the option to migrate an existing CE 8 course or you can choose to re-create your course from scratch. Many faculty members choose to re-create their courses for a fresh start in the new LMS. Often, it is better to re-create a course than migrate. This is especially true if your course was originally created in WebCT 4.1 and migrated four years ago into the current Blackboard CE 8. An easy way to tell if your course came from WebCT 4.1 is to open the File Manager in the course and see if there is a folder called "Imported Resources." If so, re-creation of the course is highly recommended!

I have LOTS of courses in my Course List in CE8. Should I migrate them all?
No, you only need to migrate ONE instance of each course you are teaching. Determine the semester or template that holds the most complete or most desirable instance and select that course to migrate. We want you to have everything you will need in the new LMS, but remember that you don't need multiple instances of the same course.

What if I migrate my course and then don't like it? Can I change my mind and re-create the course?
Sure! We can delete the Learn 9.1 course that was migrated, and then you can fill out the form to request the new development shell for that course to re-create from scratch.

What if I want to migrate one course to teach this Fall semester, but I want to teach a different course in CE 8 for just one more semester until Spring 2014?
Given the problems we experienced with Blackboard CE in Summer, 2013, Texas Tech University has made a decision to teach all courses beginning in Fall, 2013 in Blackboard Learning 9.1 You will want to migrate (or begin re-creating) in Learn 9.1 as quickly as possible. Don't wait until the last minute to begin this process!

Can I migrate my Fall 2013 and future courses at the same time?
Absolutely, You can migrate your courses and start working on getting them ready right now so that they are ready for teaching in the Fall 2013 semester and beyond.

How long will I be able to access files and student data on CE8?
CE8 will be available for another year. So, through all of 2014, you will be able to access your content files and all student data. After that, the courses will be archived.

What if the course I want to migrate is being taught this semester?
That's okay -- we are NOT migrating students to the new LMS. The migration process will only copy your course content to BB9 so that you can start getting it ready for the next time you teach it.

What if I have a course on a two-year rotation, and I'm not due to teach it this coming year?
Our recommendation is to go ahead and migrate or re-create the course in BB9 now. That way, when you are ready to start working on it in the new LMS, the course will be ready and waiting for you.

Teaching, Learning, & Professional Development Center

  • Address

    University Library Building, Room 136, Mail Stop 2044, Lubbock, TX 79409-2004
  • Phone

    806.742.0133
  • Email

    tlpdc@ttu.edu