Blue Course Evaluations Support Docs

Instructions

Login URLs for Explorance Blue

Admin Access:

Regular User Access:

Campuses Using Blue

  • UM (also UMM), USM, UMPI

  • UMFK – since Oct 2018

  • UMA – since Fall 2021

Blue Data Sync Tool (BDST) & Server Access

Documentation:
BDST Server Documentation

Parent Google Doc

RDP Access:

  • 10.10.24.179 – (deprecated) Original instance (wv-o-BlueSync.uad.maine.edu)

  • 10.10.24.135 – (deprecated) Old instance (wv-o-BlueSync2.uad.maine.edu) [since 05/21/21]

  • 10.10.25.139 – Current instance (wv-o-BlueSync3.uad.maine.edu) [since 08/2023]

  • 10.10.41.14 - Current instance (WV-O-BlueSync3.uad-dev.maine.edu) [since 08/2023]

  • 10.10.24.189 – New server for Blue 9.2 (wv-o-bluesync4.uad-dev.maine.edu) [as of 05/23/2025]

  • 10.10.24.208 – New server for Blue 9.2 (wv-o-bluesync4.uad.maine.edu)

File Path for Extracts:

  • Navigate to Local Disk (E:) > Files_from_blackboard

Data Source Extracts

Extracts are programmed and maintained by Garrett Fitzgerald. The MaineStreet extract runs daily at 8:00 AM and completes by 8:30 AM.

Data Source File Name Load Time
Course-Instructor umsbatch_Explorance_CourseInstructor 10:10 AM
Course-Student umsbatch_Explorance_CourseStudent_v1 10:20 AM
Courses umsbatch_Explorance_Courses  
SupervisorsDistribution EvaluateExt 10:30 AM
Colleges_UM    
Users (students/instructors) umsbatch_Explorance_StudentInstructor 10:40 AM

Manual Data Sync Process

  1. Disable Scheduled DataSync

  2. Run manual sync for a single DS

  3. Re-enable Scheduled DataSync

Manual Import to Blue (Explorance Cloud)

  1. Copy file from E: to local machine

  2. Login to Blue Admin

  3. Go to Datasources > [Edit relevant DS] > Data > Edit the Data Block

  4. Upload file via ‘Choose File’

  5. Check all fields

  6. Apply

  7. Go to Import/Export > Import (can take several mins)

  8. Download and review the log file

  9. Finalize if no errors

Note: If import shows 0 records and no errors, it is likely that no changes occurred—this is normal.

Troubleshooting Data Sync Failures

  • Most Common Error: Duplicate entries (e.g., student listed twice in same course)

  • Review data files for:

    • umsbatch_explorance_coursestudent_v2.csv

      • Use Excel to concatenate columns or remove duplicates

    • umsbatch_explorance_courseinstructor.csv

      • Check for blank instructor emplid

    • users_students_and_instructors

      • Third most common failure cause

Error Logs:

  • Found in Activity Logs (left-hand menu in Blue)

Excel Tip:

  • Use Remove Duplicates wizard (under the Data tab)

Evaluation Periods (Eval Start/End Date Calculation)

Class Duration Evaluation Window
≤ 17 days 0 days before, 7 days after end date
18+ days 7 days before, 7 days after end date
3–10 weeks 7 days before, 7 days after end date
11–16 weeks 14 days before, 14 days after end date
>16 weeks 14 days before, 14 days after end date

Email Configuration

  • SMTP Server: smarthost.maine.edu

  • Port: 587

  • IP: 10.10.24.179

  • Sender Email: course-evaluations@maine.edu

Datasource Email Configuration:

  • Navigate to DataSources > [Select datasource] > Import/Export > Email Notifications

  • Enable “Use Custom Notifications”

  • Update “To” email address

IP Range Whitelist

  • 184.107.80.100 → 184.107.80.127

360 Reviews in BLUE

  • The system supports 360 reviews; licensing is already included.

Combined Sections

  • Sections are combined at the Report level, not the Project level (per Denise Trombley)

Course Filtering Criteria in Blue

  • Login to Blue

  • Navigate: Admins > Blue button > Projects > Category='campus'

  • Go to: Published Set > Definition > Subject Filter

To exclude TAs:

  • Under Definition > Secondary Subject Filter, apply appropriate TA exclusion filter.

Record Selection & Terms

  • Record selection follows: term - 3 to term + 1 (e.g., current range: 2120–2230)

Preferred Email Configuration

  • The Message Center uses the preferred email (usually maine.edu BUSN).

  • A nightly job enforces BUSN as preferred for all students with activated MaineStreet accounts.

Note: New applicants without an activated account may still receive emails to their non-maine.edu address.

Brightspace Pop-Up via Blue Connector

URL:

Key Configuration (stored in LastPass):

  • Application ID, Key, User ID, User Key

Annual Reauthorization Required:

  1. Visit: https://apitesttool.desire2learnvalence.com

  2. Use courses.maine.edu as host, port 443, HTTPS checked

  3. Verify existing App ID & Key

  4. Click Authorize to retrieve new credentials

  5. Copy new User ID & Key into Blue Connector “Consumer List” > D2L production deployment

  6. Save changes

Environment

  • Applies to: University of Maine System

  • Platforms: Explorance Blue, MaineStreet, Brightspace, Windows Server (BDST instances)

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