The widely-used electronic resource Blackboard underwent a face-lift this summer with Release 7.1 debuting prior to the beginning of classes.
Adam Stegner, University Computing Services distributed programmer, said the upgrades were necessary after Blackboard decided to phase out development support for the Release 6.2 software.
"The old version was basically no longer supported by [its operating partner] Sun," Stegner said. "We had to move. The only question was where we were going to move to."
Stegner said UCS purchased new Windows-based servers for the Blackboard system last year to save money on the purchase of newer, more expensive operating systems required to run the Release 7.1 version. Stegner said the decision was made to hold off on the implementation of the new software until the beginning of fall classes because of time restraints.
Release 7.1 officially went live for students and faculty on Aug. 6.
Improved features include a performance dashboard to show login status and international language packs to change the program's language. Professors also have improved grading assessment capabilities.
Adaptive release, another addition to the program, improves students' flexibility with their schoolwork and betters instructors' ability to control the pace of their assignments.
Even with the recent upgrades, students have mixed reactions about the effectiveness of Blackboard.
David Hall, a second-semester freshman biology major, said the new Blackboard program is the same as it was last winter when he began his course work. He was not previously aware Blackboard had undergone any tweaks over the summer, but Hall said more professors seemed to be using the program this fall.
"Last year it wasn't used as much," he said. "This year it seems every teacher's got stuff up already. A total of two of my classes last semester [used Blackboard]."
He also said he does not think Blackboard, even with the recent upgrades, is an important tool for students.
"If I want to know my grades I go [to the site]," Hall said. "If [professors] put study guides and links to helpful material it would be better."
Freshman interior design major Alyssa Thompson said she has not used Blackboard often, but what she has seen has been useful. She said she expects the program to continue to serve an important purpose.
"I like it because you can print out whole schedules to work ahead if you want to," Thompson said.
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