Request a SPARK Course
About Requesting a SPARK Course
Step One: Choose from Eligible Sections
Step Two: Register a Class Section
Need Help?
About Requesting a SPARK Course
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. This replaces the SPARK course request process previously in use.
Learn more about using SPARK from the SPARK F.A.Q. for Instructors.
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. To change any instructor information in SPIRE, contact the Academic Scheduling Representative in your department.
- Instructors receive a confirmation email when a SPARK course is ready to use. Wait for this email before opening your new SPARK course. You can then set up the course tools and start adding content.
Step One: Choose from Eligible Sections
1. Log on to SPIRE.
2. In the left Menu, go to Faculty Home > SPARK Course Request. The Step One: Choose from Eligible Sections page will open, listing your SPARK-eligible classes.
3. On the Step One: Choose from Eligible Sections page:
- (Optional) If you teach a multiple-section or cross-listed class, for which you wish to request a single SPARK course, write down the Class Numbers of all sections from the Class Nbr column. You will need them to complete the form on the next page.
- In the Status column, select a class by clicking Not
Requested. The Step Two: Register a Class Section page will open.
Tip: To sort columns by heading topic, click a column heading.
Step Two: Register a Class Section
On the Step Two: Register a Class Section page, verify the class information (in gray, at top). Note: The confirmation email for your SPARK course will be sent to this email address.
Request a SPARK Course for a Single Class Section
1. Under Course Content, from the drop-down menu, select a source for your SPARK course content (required).
2. Under SPIRE Grade Upload, select the Grade Upload check box to register your class for transferring grades from SPARK to SPIRE at the end of the term.
3. Click Submit. You will return to the Step One: Choose from Eligible Sections page, where the Status of your class is now *Requested*.
Once you submit a request form, the Step Two: Register a Class Section page will no longer be interactive. Check your email for a message confirming that your SPARK course is ready to use (within three business days).
Check the Status of a SPARK Course Request
Update a SPARK Course Request
Combine Multiple-section or Cross-listed Classes in a Single SPARK Course
To combine multiple class sections (that you are teaching) or cross-listed classes in the same SPARK course, you must submit a request form for each section.
1. Under Course Content, from the drop-down menu, select a source for your SPARK course content (required).
2. Select the check box under Multiple-section - and/or - Cross-listed Classes.
3. Under List of Sections to Combine & Comments:
Note: You only need to provide these numbers in your first request, but the SPARK Administrators need a separate request for each section you wish to include in your SPARK course.
- Multiple-Section Classes: Enter the Class Number for each section, separated by commas.
- Cross-listed Classes: Enter the other Class Number(s), separated by commas.
4. Under SPIRE Grade Upload, select the Grade Upload check box to register your class for transferring grades from SPARK to SPIRE at the end of the term.
5. Click Submit. You will return to the Step One: Choose from Eligible Sections page, where the Status of your class is now *Requested*.
6. Submit a request form for each section you wish to include in your SPARK course.
Once you submit a request form, the Step Two: Register a Class Section page will no longer be interactive. Check your email for a message confirming that your SPARK course is ready to use (within three business days).
Check the Status of a SPARK Course Request
Update a SPARK Course Request
Need Help?
For assistance with or more information about SPARK, contact the Instructional Media Lab at instruct@oit.umass.edu or 413-545-2823.
