Blackboard Inc. Downgrades Software Support

As of October 1, 2008, Blackboard Inc. has announced that it will be downgrading support on certain editions of software. This includes support to version 6.3 which is currently in use here at Philadelphia University. Blackboard, Inc. reported that software support for version 6.3, along with 7.0 and 7.1 will be converted from Full Support Coverage down to Operational Support. Software under this umbrella of coverage consists of Blackboard Academic Suite, Learning System Enterprise, Community System, Content System and Learning System Basic. Previous versions 6.3, 7.0 and 7.1 were provided with full support that offered active maintenance to Service Packs and Hot fixes as needed.

What this equates to is that although support will still be available for these programs, Blackboard Inc will no longer be developing any fixes for new bugs that are discovered in the system. While Operational Support will be provided as of October, it is also important to note that this will only be in effect for 2 years. After October 2010, these programs will no longer be supported, and all users will be suggested to upgrade to the newest version of software.For more information See: http://philau.edu/its/bb/pdf/Client_Support_Services_Guide.pdf

New Systems Keep a Close Eye on Online Students at Home

Recently, there was an article in the Chronicle of HIgher Education that talked about ways to make online testing more secure. The increased popularity of online courses along with a new bill by Congress may require distance learners to be monitored while in their homes. As part of the plan to renew the Higher Education Act, which will become a law in the Fall, Congress states that “any institution that offers an online program must prove that an enrolled student is the same person who does the work”(Foster). The process of proving that students are actually doing their own work, as opposed to someone else who isn’t enrolled, has fostered the use of technological devices such as fingerprint authentication and web camera monitoring.

Many colleges with online institutions have already started to use software such as Secureexam Remote Proctor (image courtesy of Software Secure, Inc.) which uses a paperweight-sized device that connects to any home computer. This apparatus scans the users fingerprint and also comes equipped with a camera and microphone that monitors 360 degrees around the student. Once the student begins taking a test, they aren’t able to access any online content while in process.

Another software that is similar to Secureexam is Webassessor, which is implemented within the Penn State University System. This software uses online proctors to monitor students’ typing styles along with speeds. The proctor is also able to view the students’ face, keyboard and surrounding work environment. Kryterion Inc.’s software is able to monitor 50 students at a time and has the ability to stop any student at anytime from preceding through the rest an exam if their behavior is deemed as suspicious.

While many see this as a way to decrease academic dishonesty, others feel that it is an invasion of privacy. These detractors point to the fact that there is no evidence that “cheating or fraud happens more often with its students than with students in face-to-face classes." Another factor that has institutions apprehensive is the cost factor. Institutions who used Secureexam Remote Proctor would force students to pay $150 for their device, while those who used Webassessor would have to pay up to $80 on a web-camera, along with Kryterion which charges universities approximately $20,000 to have their software customized as well as for software training.

http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i46/46a00103.htm

Woz Speaks at BbWorld '08

I attended the BbWorld 2008 Conference this past week, where Steve Wozniak (aka Woz) was the keynote speaker. Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, spoke about his role in the development of the personal computer and applied many of the stories in his address to K-12 and higher education. A reporter from The Wired Campus spoke to Woz right after his keynote about his thoughts on computers in education. A short video of that interview can be viewed here:

Project NG: The New Face of Blackboard Inc.

Blackboard Inc. has formulated a new plan to reenergize the future of their software by creating Project NG. Project NG seeks to expand Blackboard by making it more engaging for users as well as incorporating Web CT which is recently acquired.
Project NG has been revamped to be accessible for those in grades K through 12, College, as well as those in the Professional phase while making it fully customizable to fit one’s preference.

The new dynamic and innovating changes that will be showcased in the new Project NG will be seen in the user interface, easy tab navigation and the ability to add content from external links from other Web 2.0 applications.

Project NG will allow future users to have all courses listed and displayed in one module, and will not have to search for them. The Courses page will also feature a calendar displaying important dates as they pertain to individual classes. Not only will this be an addition, but another added bonus will be the featured language support which allows courses to be hosted in 14 different languages. Another anticipated advancement is Blackboard’s integration with other course management systems such as Moodle and Sakai. With this feature, one can access all of their courses on one page with 1 single log-in which will link to all courses and allow them to run at the same time. Students will also be able to communicate through chat along with discussion boards.

Instructor will also receive benefits from Project NG, where they will be able to track student performance, as well at monitor those who don’t log in on an active basis and those who turn in late assignments. Lesson Planning Tools and Test Grading will become easier as well, decreasing on the number of windows seen on the screen and being able to navigate through tests and grades on one page. Instructors will now be able to edit and modify tests by being able to choose from different question types as well as rearranging question by a simple “drag and drop” method. The “safe assign” allows instructors to view students’ submitted work and compares them which detects acts of plagiarism in their writings.

While email has been the preferred method of communication between students and instructors, Project NG will feature Voice Messages as well as Text Messaging.

Click here for more info.

Blackboard Says New Tool Will Synchonize With Competitor

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Blackboard Inc. has agreed to join forces with Sakai, a free open source that is being used at Syracuse University. Blackboard Inc. has agreed to allow Sakai to link these two programs together in order to use the course-management software along with student electronic portfolios.

In order for these two software's to work in synchrony, Blackboard Inc. has developed the "Blackboard-Sakai Connector" which will be released in the near future. This link will allow users shift between Blackboard and Sakai without having to log out and sign on when switching between the two.

This linkage comes as a surprise to many due to the fact that Blackboard Inc. recently acquired a patent on course management systems which makes it difficult for other course management systems to compete in software production.

While the first collaboration has only occurred with Sakai, Blackboard claims to hopefully collaborate with Moodle, another open source course-management system.

Increase in Stolen Laptops Endangers Data Security

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the incidence of stolen laptops on college campuses has drastically increased and is moreover threatening the security of its students as well as faculty members. Stolen laptops often store valuable personal information including Social Security Numbers which hackers use to committ identify theft, using others' information for unauthorized purchases and transactions, leaving many people obligated to debts that wasn't their own.

Many colleges and universities have taken action to try and curb thefts of laptops which are property of the school by installing encryption software as well as tracking services to retrieve those that have been stolen.

While there is no definitive to keep laptops from being stolen, measures can be take to help reduce risk which includes

• Don't leave laptops in cars/vehicles in plain sight
• Don't leave unattended even if stepping away for a short period
• Turn off device when not in use
• Have a password prompt when returning from an idle state
• Encrypt important data

Added Tips for College Students

• Purchase a Security Cable which can be attached to an immovable device or object.
• Apply conspicious labels- identification marks if able
• USE COMMON SENSE!
• Apply a Log-in password- one that isnt' obvious
• Dont' carry laptop in an "obvious" laptop case
• Purchase insurance that covers theft.

Click to Read Full Article

Blackboard Accuses Desire2Learn of Contempt

The ongoing court battle between rival learning management systems Blackboard and Desire2Learn continues as Blackboard has filed lawsuit against Desire2Learn for contempt. These allegations stem from a claim, according to Blackboard that Desire2Learn didn’t makes changes to their software in order to avoid copyright infringements and patent violations.

Due to this, a jury ruled that Desire2Learn wouldn’t be allowed to distribute their software Learning Environment 8.2.2. As a result of this Desire2Learn resorted to creating a new version, 8.3 where they modified certain features of the application by renaming the user role to “student”, along with deleting default roles. Back in 2006 Blackboard was awarded a patent that allowed them to have sole rights to this feature. When Desire2Learn did this, it violated the patent which Blackboard which subsequently led to the lawsuit of copyright infringement.

Blackboard recently acquired WebCT, another stronghold amongst course management systems, and ultimately is seeking to acquire Desire2Learn as well as being the dominant leader. Because Blackboard holds rights to these patents, it makes it difficult for other companies including those of the open source to develop software, and would ultimately result in them having to pay a significant amount of royalties to Blackboard.

While Desire2Learn has refused to settle, many outsiders support their stand against Blackboard in hopes that the lawsuit will not relinquish all rights of technology control over to Blackboard.