Requesting a Stellar Site
Instructors must create new Stellar websites for each class each semester, even if it is the same class you taught the previous semester. (Tip: Instructors can reuse existing class materials by importing content from a previous class to a new website.)
You must have a Kerberos ID/Touchstone Collaboration Account and a certificate in order to make a site request.
You can request a website for the next semester at any time and start adding or importing class materials. New Stellar versions are released at the end of January and during the summer, at which time your class website is automatically updated to the new version. Any content you have added will be safe; features may change slightly, but they do not go away.
The Stellar Website Request Form
uses Registrar data. If the class name and instructor's name are on the Registrar's list, the class website is created automatically and you receive an email confirmation within a few minutes. Otherwise, the creation of the website may take two to three business days, and slightly longer near the end of a semester when the request is for a future semester.
About Stellar, Athena, and OpenCourseWare
There are several differences between an Athena locker and a Stellar website. An Athena locker is empty when created. The faculty member or designated representative is responsible for designing web pages, adding content, uploading and downloading files, editing web pages, and other standard website maintenance activities. Backups are performed nightly, but there is no archiving. Traditionally, one Athena locker is created for each subject and is reused each semester by adding and deleting files. Access control needs to be managed by manually by class staff.
Stellar Websites and OpenCourseWare Websites
The Stellar course-management system has been developed to support delivery of classes to students at MIT. A class website contains class materials, student information, homework assignments, and a discussion board. To protect student privacy, Stellar websites are usually restricted to class participants or the MIT community only, although instructors can provide worldwide access.
OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a free and open educational resource for faculty, students, and self-learners around the world. OCW publishes MIT course materials, but it does not provide contact with MIT faculty or grant degrees.
The Stellar development team and OCW group work cooperatively to facilitate transferring content from a Stellar class website to an OCW website.