Below is an outline of the new default course menu and a brief summary of each:

• Home Page -  This new tool link is not added yet, but it will replace the Announcements link seen in previous semesters.  Instructors will continue to post announcements through the Control Panel using the Announcements tool, however announcements will be linked from the new Home Page along with numerous other notification-based modules.  After the upgrade is completed, the Home Page link will need to be added by instructors to the course menu.  Instructions for this procedure will be provided later this term.
• Syllabus - This replaces the previous Course Information link in the course menu.  It is recommended that the Syllabus tool, available in the Select drop-down menu in this content area, be used for creating a course Syllabus.
• Your Instructor(s) - This replaces the previous Staff Information link in the course menu.  Profiles should be added through the Control Panel using the Staff Information tool.
• Course Documents - Create folders to organize content such as lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations, external links, etc.
• Assignments - Assignments should be added here using the Assignments tool available from the Select drop-down menu available in this area.
• Exams - This is new to the default course menu.  Tests that reside in the Test Manager should be added here.  If instructors wish to distinguish between quizzes, tests and exams, folders named accordingly may be created in this area.
• Discussion Board - Forums and threads are added here.
• Tools - For now, this area remains the same.  The Communication link is no longer on the default course menu.  After the upgrade is completed, numerous tools, including those normally found in the Communication area, will be available in the consolidated Tools area.
• Ask a Librarian - This is an external link provided as a student resource.

Note:  In keeping with established universal design principles, the style for the new default course menu is black text on a white background.

Where possible, and for best results, it is recommended that Spring 2010 courses be built fresh rather than being copied from older courses.  The information above should be used as a basic guide along with information presented in faculty training sessions and provided in the Features in Focus guides and other documentation provided by the JSU Office of Distance Education.  However, if content does need to be copied from old courses into Spring 2010 course shells, we strongly recommend you request assistance from the Office of Distance Education.  There are some very specific procedures and concerns related to properly copying courses in consideration of the coming upgrade to Blackboard Learn version 9.  Copying content yourself is still an option, however you need to follow the special procedures provided on the "Copying Courses for Spring 2010" page.

Instructors building courses fresh may go ahead and begin once Spring 2010 course shells are listed in their "My Courses" module in Blackboard.  Instructors seeking assistance with copying content from an old course should send an e-mail to DLHelp@jsu.edu which includes the following information:

Note:  This request should be sent as soon as possible, but no later than December 1, 2009.  Due to limited staff and expected demand, the assistance can only be provided on a first come first served basis.  Delaying your request could result in fulfillment not occurring until sometime in January 2010.

• Name.
• Blackboard user name.
• Source course ID (copied from Control Panel or My Courses).
• Destination course ID - the Spring 2010 course which begins with 2010SP (copied from Control Panel or My Courses).
• Content to copy (for example, exams, assignments, syllabus, discussion board, gradebook, etc.).
• Special considerations or comments.

As indicated, once the upgrade to Blackboard Learn version 9 is completed, additional minor course modifications will still be necessary, but information to guide instructors will be provided.