About HuskyCT
What is HuskyCT?
HuskyCT stands for "Husky Course Tools" and refers to the learning management system in use at UConn, which is Blackboard Learn. Many HuskyCT sites for course sections are now created automatically, such as Lecture and Discussion sections. Other types of course listings, such as Lab and Seminar sections, are not created automatically but can be easily requested through the Student Admin system via an instructor's Self-Service > Faculty Center area. The ability to request sites for Fall classes usually starts March 1 and site requests for Spring classes usually begin October 1.
Please note that for Fall 2024 and beyond, our HuskyCT system actually has two versions of courses available, known as Original Course View (OCV) and Ultra Course View (UCV). OCV courses are the "old" version of Blackboard, and UCV is the newer version we are upgrading to. For Fall 2024, 1000- and 2000-level courses will run in Ultra Course View, whereas 3000-level and above may still run in Original Course View. More information on this transition can be found on the Ultra Course View section of this site.
How do HuskyCT sites get created?
HuskyCT sites are generated in conjunction with the Student Admin system. Instructors who are listed in Student Admin as the instructor-of-record for a course will automatically be added to the corresponding HuskyCT site with the Instructor role. Many HuskyCT sites are now created automatically based on listings in Student Admin. These include courses listed as Lecture and Discussion sections. Other types of course listings, such as Lab and Seminar sections, are not created automatically but can be easily requested through the Student Admin system via an instructor's Self-Service > Faculty Center area. This may occur the same day or the next day, depending on when the request was submitted.
It is possible on occasion to obtain a HuskyCT site for a purpose other than for a course which appears in Student Admin. These are called "non-class" HuskyCT sites and requests are made using an online form.
Who uses HuskyCT sites?
Most of the 5000+ HuskyCT sites in use a semester are for traditional face-to-face classes, but HuskyCT is also used to deliver fully online classes and the online component of hybrid courses. (During the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing shift to completely remote/online teaching and learning, HuskyCT was the primary platform used to host online education at UConn. Since the pandemic began during the Spring 2020 semester, the vast majority of courses have been hosted entirely or in-part via HuskyCT.)
What are they used for?
HuskyCT sites are used for all aspects of remote/online learning. Primary uses include posting files (syllabus, class notes, readings, problem solutions), posting grades, sending announcements, assignment submissions, tests, and online discussion. Many use HuskyCT as a centralized starting point for synchronous elements of courses hosted through web conferencing integrations such as Collaborate or Webex, and still others make use of Groups functionality. For more information and guidance on how to make the best use of HuskyCT with your teaching, please contact the CETL-Educational Technologies Office at edtech@uconn.edu or 860-486-5052.
How do students get access to HuskyCT sites?
The feed from Student Admin to HuskyCT also contains enrollment information and any students registered for the class are automatically enrolled on the HuskyCT site for that class. As students add or drop classes in Student Admin, the enrollment in the corresponding HuskyCT site will be adjusted appropriately. However, this is not immediate; it will occur at the time of the next feed, which may be anywhere from 1 to 18 hours after the change is made in Student Admin.
When do students get access to HuskyCT sites?
Each HuskyCT site is created with a start date and an end date. The start date is set for the first official day of classes for the term. The end date is set for two weeks after finals end. These start and end dates only apply to individuals with the Student Role on a HuskyCT site. Those with the HuskyCT role of Instructor can access the site even when unavailable to students. Instructors have the ability to change the start date if they want to give students access sooner or later than the default start date.
Re-using HuskyCT content from a prior semester
Instructors teaching a course again another semester can request the restore of their HuskyCT content from a previous semester. Older HuskyCT course sites are available for three years for restore purposes. Instructors are responsible for keeping a record of student grades for 5 years, but this information is easily downloaded from the HuskyCT Grade Center.
Combining HuskyCT Sites - Why and How
Instructors teaching more than one section of a course often request that their HuskyCT sites be combined. This might be for multiple sections of the same course that meet at different times or for courses where students are in class at the same time but register for different sections because the course is cross-listed or because it is offered in multiple locations simultaneously. Instructors must use the Student Admin System to request HuskyCT sites for all lab sections involved (discussion sections are created automatically) and then request that the HuskyCT sites be combined.