Migration from Vista 3 to Vista 4

Spring means change, and this spring brings the change from Vista 3 to Vista 4. We've prepared this "Vista 4 Survival Guide" to help make your change to Vista 4 as painless as possible. Here you will find everything you need to successfully switch over with minimal fuss and pain.

Version 3 – 4 Comparison Chart

What's new in Vista 4? Below is a brief list of changes from Vista 3 to Vista 4.

Version 3	Version 4
MyWebCT	MyBlackboard
Organizer Page	Folders
Break Links	Unsubscribe
Power View Sub tab of Build	Power View Page Option
Modify Header and Footer using Pencil Icon	Modify Header and Footer Page Option
Content Inventory Sub tab of Build	Content Inventory now Course Menu
Components added to homepage, organizer page, and learning module via left hand frame.	Components added to homepage, organizer page, and learning module via Add Content link options.
Webdav folders set up through PC	Webdav folders set up through Vista
URL Tool	Web Links Tool

Prepping Your Course

Is your course ready for Vista 4? Before filling out and submitting the the migration request form make sure your course is Vista 4 ready:

1. Break any links - If you have any linked files in the file manager you must break the links.
   
   
2. Remove special characters -The presence of the following characters ; : & ^ % # @ * + “ ‘ in:
   • Name of the Learning Modules
   • Name of the links in the Learning Modules
   • Name of the folders/files in the File Manager
     
     
3. Remove the HTML <form> tag if used in the text of an assignment
   • Go to the Assignment
   • Edit Properties
   • Edit the text of the assignment and eliminate the <form> tag (the html creator has to be turned on in order to see the <form> tag).
     
     
4. Limit sub-folders in File Manger - More than four folders nested within a parent folder generates migration errors. Redo your file structure so that you have less than four subfolders for any one folder.
   
   
5. Remove large media files - Large media files cause migration errors.
   • Download the Media file on the computer (or another media)
   • Delete the Media file from the section
   • Backup and restore the section
   • Upload the Media File in the new section
     
     
6. Sign-up sheets – If you have sign-up sheets in your section and do not need this information archived, remove the sign-up sheets. If you have sign-up sheets in your section and you need this information archived, please note that in the comments section of the migration form.

Special Note: Not preparing your course for migration greatly increases the likelihood that your course will not migrate successfully.

Migration Request Form

After prepping your course for migration you can fill out and submit the Migration Request Form. Please note that you must specify on the form if your course/template has Sign-up Sheets.

• Migration Request Form

Post-Migration Checklist

Once your course has been moved you will need to update it for the new semester, begin to take advantage of the new features, and familiarize yourself with the new interface. We've put together a Post-Migration Checklist to help you get started.

• Post-Migration Checklist (in PDF format)
• Post-Migration Checklist (HTML Format)

Training

To help you master Blackboard Vista 4 the Learning Technology Center offers many different training opportunities.

Online Tutorials

This short interactive tutorials are available off of the Learning Technology Center web site. Select from several different training modules including:

• Building a Course Syllabus
• Creating Assignments
• Creating Assessments
• Building Learning Modules
• Using the Selective Release Map
• Using the HTML Creator
• Creating Announcements
• Assessment Teaching Functions
• Assignment Teaching Functions
• Creating and Editing the Course Calendar
• Creating and Managing Discussions
• Managing the Grade Book
• Managing Groups

These tutorial require Macromedia Flash to view. To download the latest version of Flash, go to: www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash -

Getting Started Training Course

This intensive interactive training course consists or four modules: Workshop Orientation, Student Experience, Designer Experience, and Instructor Experience. The getting started training course allows instructors to actually build components of an online course within the Vista 4 environment.

To sign-up for this course, send an email to ltc@fairmontstate.edu with your name and UCA.

Face to Face Training

A link to the current training schedule as well as registration information can be found online at: /facstaffresources/ltc/Vista4Training.asp