Building Block development
The eLearning Systems and Support team (eLearning team) has a policy of encouraging development in the University's main Learning Management System (LMS). Developing in the enterprise LMS leverages new functionality out to the entire University, making it available in a robust production environment. To that end we offer the following advice and guidelines for developers interested in developing on our current LMS - Blackboard:
Starting Out
Talk to eLearning team and let us know what you’re planning
Learn about J2EE development.
Have a look at the Getting Started With Building Blocks webpage by Blackboard.
Get the Blackboard API Javadocs from the Building Block API Documentation webpage by Blackboard.
Have a look at the tutorials on edugarage
To access "Behind Blackboard" material you will need a login. Contact the eLearning team.
Have a look at Oscelot and Oscelot Proects
Have a look at Blackboard Open Sources, join the mailing list.
Guidelines
Developers should advise eLearning team of development intentions before commencement to ensure the capability does not already exist.
The eLearning team will provide developers with a development system and building block install rights. This system is development and up-time is not guaranteed.
All source code and libraries have to be provided to eLearning team.
Any code developed for use on the UQ LMS must either be open sourced or have licence explicitly granted in advance for UQ use.
The eLearning team is not resourced to assist with development efforts.
The eLearning team will have to carry out and be satisfied with its own testing before allowing into production use.
Developers should be aware they will have secure ongoing funding to keep developed material compatible with ongoing upgrades, or the tool will expire.