June 2012 Newsletter |
End of Life Extension for Release 8.0 |
Announcing an End of Life Extension for Release 8.0 of the ANGEL Edition LMS Previously we had announced an end of life target for Release 8.0 of the ANGEL Edition LMS for October 2014. In order to ensure that you have sufficient time to plan and execute a move to Blackboard Learn 9.1, we are extending that end of life window beyond the previously announced EOL date. Blackboard will evaluate the decision on an ongoing basis and provide sufficient notice of any future change to plans for support. We plan to make select enhancements to ANGEL 8.0 over time to ensure that the solution is a viable platform until you are ready to plan a migration. We have opened an ANGEL Suggestion Squad Forum for you to submit ideas for enhancements. Please join that forum and provide your feedback. New Behind the Blackboard Status and Update It’s been a few months since we implemented the new Behind the Blackboard for ANGEL clients. We’ve needed to address a number of issues since the rollout, but overall things to be going pretty well. We’re seeing a continual increase in the number of ANGEL administrators using the system and people are successfully entering and managing cases, accessing knowledge base articles, and downloading files they need. All in all it seems we’re off to a good start as evidenced by some of your feedback: “All in all - I think this was definitely an improvement over the last version - so kudos to you and all your hard work!” If you haven’t yet used the new system, we urge you to go and play around with it before you need it. There is nothing you need to do differently when you go to login to the new Behind the Blackboard. You’ll go to the same URL and you’ll use the same username and password you have been using, and all of your case history will be there. If you need them, a host of help resources are available here. This Knowledge Base article provides access to a getting started guide, general FAQs, a training PowerPoint presentation, a Knowledge Base guide, and a number of how-to videos. If you’re having problems using the new system, please reach out to your ANGEL Engagement Team for help. You can submit issues via a case in the system, or you can call ANGEL Support at 317.333.7300 and select option 2. “Snazzy improvements to BtBb. Very nice & clean.” https://secure.eloqua.com/editor?xsrfToken=#topAs a reminder, now that we’ve implemented the new Behind the Blackboard, we are suspending ANGEL service pack and hot fix announcement emails in favor of Support Bulletins via an RSS feed. You can sign up for the Support Bulletin RSS feed directly from the “Home” page or from “My Subscriptions” (accessible from the “My Accounts” area in the top navigation). We urge you to sign up for these RSS feeds the first time you use the new system so you will receive important notifications. We hope you find using the new Behind the Blackboard an improvement over the current system. As always, we’re interested in your feedback. There is a link to “BtBb Suggestions” in the lower left corner of the footer navigation. Back to Top Need Support Escalation in a hurry? New Support Managers Email Now Available. Are you aware of the Support Managers email distribution? This important support escalation mechanism is available to all Blackboard customers including ANGEL. If at any time you are having a problem with timeliness or responsiveness to a support related concern, simply send an email to supportmanagers@blackboard.com. This email distribution is continually monitored by managers in the Blackboard support organization. Someone in the group will either handle your concern or make sure it gets escalated to the right person. When you use this email distribution, be sure to reference the case number in question, provide a brief explanation of your concern, and include your contact information. Have Enhancement Ideas for ANGEL 8.0? Join the new ANGEL Suggestion Squad Forum today! The ANGEL Suggestion Squad forum is an online forum where you can help us prioritize future development of the Blackboard Learn- ANGEL Edition. We’re leveraging crowd sourcing technology so you and your team of ANGEL users can add product enhancement ideas, view ideas submitted by other ANGEL users and vote on which ones you would like to see implemented in the product. Please watch this short program overview so that you have the appropriate information. Once you view the program overview, please go to the ANGEL Suggestion Squad forum homepage and create an account - http://bit.ly/ANGELideas Blackboard Learn, Release 9.1 Upgrade Cohort If you would like to learn more about Blackboard Learn, Release 9.1 and planning and executing a migration, consider joining the 9.1 Upgrade Cohort. “The Bb9.1 Upgrade Cohort for ANGEL campuses provided useful resources for planning our migration, and having the Blackboard staff available to us weekly to share their expertise and take our questions was invaluable.“ Participation is easy and flexible so whether you are undecided, just getting started or about to migrate, now is the perfect time to join the 9.1 Upgrade Cohort. Register today at www.blackboard.com/cohort. Back to TopBringing Together the Best of Both – ANGEL’s Influence on Blackboard Learn, Release 9.1, Service Pack 8 Blackboard Learn™, Release 9.1, Service Pack 8 (SP8) has a new look from previous versions of Blackboard that has been influenced by the ANGEL LMS. SP8 makes it easier for users new to Blackboard to start teaching and makes it more enjoyable for everyone: students, teachers, and administrators alike. SP8 improves workflows for both educators and administrators, increases openness and flexibility with new technologies, and provides improved insight and pedagogy support across the entire education experience.
One of the questions we often hear from our ANGEL clients is 'When will ANGEL features be in Release 9.1?“With Service Packs 6 and 8, we now have some real proof points that ANGEL is influencing the Blackboard product, and we can answer that question by saying “Now!” These two most recent Service Packs increase the interest we're seeing from ANGEL clients in developing plans to migrate to Release 9.1. They certainly show our commitment to the ANGEL community, and there's more to come in future service packs.
Why Attend BbWorld 2012 in New Orleans? BbWorld 2012 is now just a month away! Don't miss out on the best opportunity to connect with the ANGEL and larger Blackboard client community - come to BbWorld, July 10-12 in New Orleans. Blackboard has several engaging activities lined up just for ANGEL clients. Here are just a few reasons to attend BbWorld this summer:
Register at BbWorld.com! Blackboard at ISTE 2012 Focus Groups Let your voice be heard. Join us for discussions with your peers and members of the Blackboard Product and Support teams about topics you are passionate about. Your feedback will help shape the future of Blackboard! Sign Up Now Dedicated K-12 Sessions Choose from nearly 40 sessions designed for the K-12 audience, presented by schools and districts from across the country. Topics include but are not limited to online and blended learning, mobile strategies, communications programs and more. Check out all of the K-12 sessions by schedule and by track here. K-12 Dessert and Drinks Reception Join the Blackboard K-12 team for an evening reception in the Parish Room at the House of Blues, Wednesday, July 11 from 8:00 to 10:00pm. Grab a drink and some treats after a long day of sessions, and catch up with colleagues and friends before hitting the town in the French Quarter. K-12 Networking Lounge Swing by the K-12 Networking Lounge located in the exhibit hall to learn about the latest news and solutions for K-12. Have technical questions? Visit the “Ask an Expert” section to chat with one of our knowledgeable solutions engineers. Be sure to pick up a flashing K-12 pin to show off your K-12 love throughout the conference! Register for BbWorld 2012! Blackboard's latest white paper examines the key issues to consider when introducing mobility in the K-12 environment, and offers the best approaches to address these issues while harnessing the power of mobile technology among today’s new era of active learners. Read real examples from savvy schools and innovative educators who are leveraging the power of technology to enhance learning experiences for their students. |