Getting Started with ELMS

ELMS "The Basics" Checklist

1. Exploring a Sample Course: If you are new to ELMS (powered by Blackboard), you may benefit by seeing our Sample ELMS Course to see how the many ELMS features can be used; just email elms@umd.edu [1] and request access.

2. Learning ELMS: Begin with the 1.5 hour free Getting Started with ELMS workshop and/or work through any of our workshop training handouts. While at the training registration site, consider attending any of our other four ELMS workshops.

• Workshops [2] (in the list provided, see the LTI-ELMS series of workshops)
• Getting Started Handout [3] (pdf)
• Additional Workshop Handouts [4] (See the ELMS Division of IT Training Workshop Handouts section)
• Animated ELMS tutorials [5]

3. Requesting your ELMS space (Course, Organization or "Other" space): Use the ELMS Management Tool [6] to request a space (use your UM Directory ID and password to access the site).

Notes:

How to request your ELMS Course Space: You can also access the ELMS Management Tool by going to http://elms.umd.edu [7] and clicking the Faculty Resources tab. The ELMS Management links are on the right under Common Tasks for Instructors [8]. If your course does not appear when you go to the course request page, contact your Department's Scheduler to request your name be added to the scheduling system. Once that has happened, you should be able to request your ELMS course within two days.

About Organization and "Other" spaces: Organization and Other spaces are like ELMS course spaces, except that you manage the enrollments yourself using the ELMS Management Tool. Both Organization and Other spaces are available for situations in which the ELMS space is not associated with a course listed in UMEG/Testudo. Organization roles include Leader, Organization Builder, and Participant. “Other” spaces include designations such as non-credit, master, and test. Other roles include Instructor, Course Builder, and Student.

If you have an organization or "Other" type space, you will need to add user accounts using the ELMS Management Tool [6].

5. Help for Students: You may send your students to the Student Resources [9] tab on the ELMS website for help in using ELMS.

6. General Inquiries and Technical problems: Starting December, 2010, you may call the Division of IT Help Desk anytime (24/7) at 405-1500 (Faculty) and 405-1400 (Students), then press 4. Also, see the "Support" tab at http://elms.umd.edu [7] for additional support options, including live chat and the ability to submit a question online. (NOTE: As of Spring 2010, this 24/7 support service is will be in pilot status, and may not extend over subsequent terms. If you have difficulty with the support options given above, please email learningtools@umd.edu [10], and ask for guidance. Thank you. Sincerely, the Learning Technologies team)

7. Post your grades to UMEG: if you are using the ELMS Gradebook to post grades, you can send them directly from ELMS to UMEG using the ELMS Management Tool. [6]

• Instructions [11] for sending grades from ELMS to UMEG.
• Video [12] demonstration (requires Flash).

8. Create an archive file of your course (Control Panel > Course Options > Archive Course). Once you see the archived file, download and save it to your computer or other storage device. ELMS courses are removed from the system after two years, so

9. Starting a new term: Use the ELMS Management Tool [6] to request a new space for the current term. If you are resusing the same ELMS materials and set-up from an earlier term, you will receive instructions via a confirmation email on how to copy the materials over to the new space.