The Migration::

Migration is the physical movement from WebCT 4 to the eLearning format. What we have now are three servers: 1) the WebCT 4 server, 2) the DevServer [Course Development], 3) the eLearning [Teaching] server.

Courses on WCT 4 will continue to remain and be offered to students until August 2008. This includes all online (30i-70i) and (on-campus) supplemental course accounts used for other section types. For the Fall '08 semester courses will be offered from the eLearning server.

Migration has already begun and the IMIC needs all Department Chairs/Faculty to identify courses that are to be migrated. There are over 800 courses that need to be identified for migration. To keep track of this process the Request for Course Migration form has been created. This will ensure that only active and not abandoned courses are moved for a clean migration.

Migration process will be as follows::

1. For each WebCT 4 course, the CONTENT (not student information) will be saved into an export file by the IMIC.
2. An empty course shell will be created in the DevServer.
3. The IMIC formats the new SUU image branding, color scheme and College template to the course shell.
4. The course content is then imported into the course shell.
5. At this point the IMIC correlates with the college/department/faculty on the content organization if needed.
6. [Distance Ed Courses and requested courses] Once all is done the course is set as the Master copy and kept on the DevServer so that the designated course designer can update and change it. Faculty may also have their own copies of the Master for the section they teach, to add more materials.
7. When a section is to be taught for the first time, a copy of the course is made from the DevServer "Master" course and placed on the eLearning server as a "Live" course. These courses will also need to be activated and registered prior to the coming semester.

Training and Orientation::

We are asking all faculty to participate in an orientation relating to the migration process. There are several items that faculty are needed to be aware of concerning the migration process. Once faculty have participated in the orientation, access to their courses will be granted.

For further details on this process contact the IMIC.

---

Frequently Asked Questions::

Q. In this migration, will students come across?

A. No- Student records and information will not be included.

Q. Will the eLearning server have a new address?

A. Yes. http://elearning.suu.edu/

Q. What is the plan for importing students?

A. The process is the same for the eLearning as it is for WebCT 4. IT runs a population script that gathers Banner enrollment information and enters and activates students into the eLearning system.

Q. How will this effect students currently in these courses?

A. No effect. (See migration info above.) Student access to courses will begin and end within the semester running. All WCT 4 courses will continue to run in WCT 4 until the migrated copy is finalized and ready to run on the eLearning server before Fall'08.

Q. How can we work together to make a smooth transition for students, and fewer calls for help?

A. The IT department (ELC computer lab staff) are now handling the Student HelpDesk. Students benefit with having additional technical support to all SUU computing systems and extended "call-in" hours. The IMIC and Web Services are continuing to create support information and tutorials, so students should be able to get into their courses with little or no help. LMS login pages for WebCT 4 and eLearning systems have hyperlinks to additional helpful information as well.

The IMIC will continue to serve as the Faculty HelpDesk. This means that all faculty needing assistance working with either LMS have a central location for support and development. Again migration may take a bit of time, this is because the IMIC is also putting together technical/application support, workshop/training materials and a better development/ migration information.

If you have any questions feel free to contact the IMIC.

---

Our Mission::

To support educators in the development of Online and OnCampus Supplemental courses.

---