Prepare to Launch: Action Items
Prepare To Launch
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1. Provide Domain Information
- Blackboard Web Community Manager sites are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). At least 2-3 weeks before your launch date, your Project Manager will send you an email requesting the following information:
- Website Domain(s)
- Amazon Web Services will only allow us to host one primary domain.
- Subdomain(s)
- Please complete the subdomain spreadsheet and send to your Project Manager.
- Website Domain(s)
- Blackboard Web Community Manager sites are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). At least 2-3 weeks before your launch date, your Project Manager will send you an email requesting the following information:
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2. Validate SSL Certificate
- Your Project Manager will submit a request, on your behalf, to our Hosting Team to issue an Amazon SSL Certificate for your primary domain.
- You (or your IT contact) will need to verify that you own or control this domain by creating the validation CNAME entry in your Domains zone file. Please see the email from your Project Manager with the CNAME instructions.
- Follow-up with your Project Manager after you or your IT contact have completed the validation CNAME update.
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3. Go Live!
- Once validated, your Project Manager will provide you with the details to update your CNAME or A-Record on your DNS to point your domain to your new website. Do not update your CNAME or A-Record until you are ready to go live.
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Once you are ready to go live with your new website, you will have control to repoint your URL with the CNAME or A-Record information provided by your Project Manager. Please note, once you complete this step, your website URL will begin to point to your new Blackboard website immediately.
Please note:
a. Once you complete the URL updates on your end it may take up to 24 hours for the changes to propagate.
b. It is important to be aware if both internal and external DNS records need to be updated for the domain changes to reflect externally and internally within your district.
c. Do not remove the initial validation CNAME from your DNS as it will allow for the SSL to renew in the coming years.
Staff Training Plan
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Objective: Begin training staff members and teachers on editing their portion of the website to prepare for your site launch.
Internal Training
- Prepare for staff training and rollout:
- Select training dates/locations and working sessions.
- Determine training groups and training leads that will help facilitate.
- Determine a training delivery method that aligns with your District's needs, goals, and training standards; common solutions:
- Self Help Resources: Teacher/Editor Help Resources and How Do I ... tab.
- Train the Trainer: Teacher roll-out tips
- Blackboard-Lead Training options: Training catalog
- Prepare for staff training and rollout:
Communication Plan
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Objective: To create a plan for your internal staff and community about the new district-branded Blackboard website.
Communication Plan
- Create or update an on-screen alert to let your community know your website is moving soon.
- Send an email to faculty to include: your launch date, domain, QR code, and reminders to update "favorites" on their desktop.
- Send a notification blast to the community about your new district-branded Blackboard website.
- Prepare/Schedule Social Media posts: sneak-peeks or teasers ahead of your launch date, and a final "Check out our new Website!" post.
- Announcing your launch: Best Practices, Tips, and Document Templates to Help Launch your District and School Website(s).
