Phased conversion means converting from a old system to a new system in steps.
Dominican University is now converting from
Blackboard to a Canvas.
Conversion strategy 1 – Phase by geography. Stop using Blackboard and
start using the new system on the Priory Campus in the summer term. If that
works, convert all courses taught on the main campus next fall. Note: Students
would be using both systems if they took courses on both campuses but at least
they would not need to use both systems for a single course.
Conversion strategy 2 – Convert by business unit. In the summer term, teach all undergraduate business school courses on the new system and leave all other courses on the old system. In the fall term, teach all business school courses on the new system. In the next term, convert all library science courses. Eventually, all courses will be converted to the new system and Blackboard will be retired.
Conversion strategy 3 – Convert by function. (This is not a good idea in this case). In the summer term, move all lectures to the new system and leave everything else on the old system. Students would need to logon to two different systems (both the new one and Blackboard) for every course. In the fall term, lectures, homework, and quizzes and grading would be moved to the new system but Discussion Boards would remain on Blackboard and finally in spring of 2010 all functions would be moved to the new system and Blackboard would be retired.
Conversion strategy 4 (not phased). In fall of 2013, shutdown Blackboard. All courses would be conducted on the new system. Professors would have to convert all of their courses over the summer. Advantage: Two systems do not have to be supported and professors and students will deal with only one system. Disadvantage: If something goes wrong and there are performance or software problems with the new system, all online learning is shutdown until the problem(s) can be located and fixed.
Update: Blackboard is now scheduled to be shutdown on June 1, 2014.