For more information about using SPARK, see the SPARK Knowledge Base

• Registering for SPARK to SPIRE Grade Upload is now a two-step process. First, request a SPARK course, then sign up for Grade Upload on the My SPARK Courses page (accessible from the left Menu). Add or cancel Grade Upload any time as allowed by the Grade Upload Schedule.
• The SPARK course request process is clearer and more intuitive. SPARK-eligible classes are now organized by term with already requested SPARK courses clearly marked. Details about course requests are available on the My SPARK Courses page (accessible from the left Menu). Check the Status of a SPARK Course Request.
• It is easier to combine multiple class sections into one SPARK course. Instead of typing each Class Number, select from a list of available sections the class sections you want combined in the same SPARK course.

  Note: You still must submit a separate request for each SPARK course request.

SPARK is the learning management system (LMS) for on-campus, residential courses at UMass Amherst. Developed by Blackboard, but dubbed “SPARK” by the Office of Information Technologies (OIT), SPARK offers tools for the development, delivery, and administration of course materials online.

Use SPIRE to request SPARK courses for SPARK-eligible classes. After requesting a SPARK course, view the status of your requests in SPIRE.

Learn more about managing SPARK courses from the SPARK F.A.Q.

Note:

• Only Primary Instructors may request SPARK courses. If you are not a Primary Instructor for a course, the course will not appear on your list of SPARK-eligible classes in SPIRE.
• You must request a SPARK course every term that you wish to use it. SPARK course requests are necessary for each subsequent new term. For information on re-using SPARK course content, go to Reuse a SPARK Course in the SPARK Knowledge Base.
• Instructors receive a confirmation email when a SPARK course is ready to use. Wait for this email before opening your new SPARK course. Once open, you can set-up your SPARK course tools and start adding content.
• Students with an OIT Account, who are enrolled in your course in SPIRE, are automatically added to your SPARK course roster. SPARK course rosters are updated each weekday with enrollment data from SPIRE.
• To enroll Teaching Assistants, Student Assistants, or Co-Instructors, see SPARK Access for TAs, Co-Instructors & Guests.
• To learn about using SPARK to SPIRE Grade Upload, see SPARK to SPIRE Grade Upload.
• Students can access your SPARK course the day before the first day of classes (no earlier). Your students only will have access to your new SPARK course if you opened and set up the course. Also, only the students listed on the class roster in SPIRE can access the SPARK course.

1. Log on to SPIRE at https://spire.umass.edu.

2. In the left Menu, go to Faculty Home > SPARK Course Request. The Choose a Term page opens. Click a term to see a list of your SPARK-eligible class sections for that term.

3. The Step 1 of 3: Choose Class Sections to include in a SPARK Course page opens. Under the heading Available sections is a checklist of your SPARK-eligible class sections. Further down on the page, under the heading Class sections already requested this term, is a list of classes for which you already requested SPARK courses (if any).

Note: If you have no SPARK-elgible classes, you will see neither the heading Available sections nor the checklist of class sections.

4. Select the check box for any class section for which you want to create a SPARK course. Remember that you must make a separate request for each SPARK course you want created, but that you can combine one or more class sections into a single SPARK course.

Note: If you teach a multiple-section or cross-listed class, and you want to combine several class sections into a single SPARK course, select the check boxes for all the sections you want included in one course.

5. Click Continue to move on to Step 2 of 3.

On the Step 2 of 3: Confirm Class Section(s) page, verify that the class or class sections listed are correct for your SPARK course request. Click Continue to move on to Step 3 of 3.

At the top of the page there is a list of the class sections comprising your SPARK course request, followed by your contact information. Note: The email confirming that your SPARK course is ready will go to the email address listed here.

1. Under Course Content, select a source for your SPARK course content (required). If you are requesting a SPARK course only to register for SPARK to SPIRE Grade Upload, select Other.

2. Use the Comments box to provide any additional information you want the SPARK administrators to have (optional).

3. Click Submit.

4. You will get a SPARK Course Request Confirmation message. The message will include the email address that the SPARK administrators will use to notify you that your SPARK course is ready to use. Expect the email message within three business days. Click OK.

Check the Status of a SPARK Course Request.

For assistance with or more information about SPARK, contact the Instructional Media Lab at instruct@oit.umass.edu or 413-545-2823.