Adding Course Content

Link to these subarticles :

Add Folder

1. Click Control Panel
2. Click desired Content Area (e.g., Course Documents, Course Information)
3. Click Folder in the action bar
4. Enter a Name in the field
5. Optional: Enter text in the Text box and/or paste text into the Text box
6. Select desired settings in the Options section
7. Click Submit
8. Click OK

Note:To add content to a Folder, click on the Folder name to open it and then add desired Content type.

Add Item

1. Click Control Panel
2. Click desired Content Area (e.g., Course Documents, Course Information)
3. Click Item
4. Enter a Name in the field
5. Enter text (or copy and paste) in the Text box
6. Optional: To attach a file, click Browse
7. Locate and double-click the file
8. Optional: Enter a name in the Name of Link to File text box
9. Optional: Click the arrow on the Special Actions box and select how the file should be displayed (see note below)
10. Select desired settings in the Options section
11. Click Submit
12. Click OK

Note: For more information about Special Actions (i.e., embedded file such as video, audio, or image), please see instructions below. It is important that the Content Item has already been added before Special Actions are implemented.

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Add Embedded File

Embedded files with extensions, .wmv and .wma are best viewed in Internet Explorer 8. Files do not function properly in Firefox at this time. Please inform your students to view in IE only.

1. Do steps 1-9 from Add Item above
2. Click the arrow on the Special Action box and select Display media file within the page
3. Select desired settings in the Options section
4. Click Submit
5. Select desired options for the Embedded Media Information
   1. For Image files
   2. For Audio / Video
6. Click Submit
7. Click OK

Embedded Media Information for Image File

• Set Width and Height: If the values are not chosen, the image will appear large. For instance, image size (resolution), 90 X 90, will display a smaller image while 400 X 400 will display a larger image. Choose desired values as they seem appropriate.
  
• Image Target URL: Copy and paste full URL into the field for the image to be linked to the website. The example (right) illustrates how the image is linked to the website.
• Launch in new window: Select No for better navigation within the Blackboard
  course. Look at the example (right) how the website is inserted within the Blackboard course.
• Border: Choose none, 1 - thin, 2 - med., or 3 - thick
• Alt Text: Type in a brief description indicating what the file is. Alternative text is designed for visually challenged learners who use screen readers. Also alternative text tells learners what is there if the image does not show. Note the alternative text on the recycle logo above.

Embedded Media Information for Audio and Video Files

• Set Width and Height: Both files have already been set at 320 (width) and 240 (height), but values can be changed as desired.
• Controls: Choose none, mini - fewer controls, or full - entire controls
• Alt Text: The alternative texts for the audio and video files do not function properly. Type in brief description in the Text box indicating what the file is above the embedded media. To include description in the Text box you will need to submit it without text and then re-edit it as follows:
  • Click Submit after the desired options above are selected
  • Click OK to return to the Content Item (i.e., Documents) page
  • Select Modify (on the right) next to the Content Item
  • Enter description in the Text box above the embedded media (screen is displayed within the Text box)
  • Click Submit
  • Click OK

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Add External Link

1. Click Control Panel
2. Click desired Content Area (e.g., Course Documents, Course Information)
3. Click External Link
4. Enter a Name for the link in the field
5. Enter the full website address in the URL field
6. Optional: Enter a description of the link in the Text box
7. Optional: To attach a file, click Browse
8. Locate and double-click the file
9. Optional: Enter a name in the Name of Link to File text box
10. Optional: Click the arrow on the Special Actions box and select how the file should be displayed
11. Select desired settings in the Options section
12. Click Submit
13. Click OK

Add Course Link

1. Click Control Panel
2. Click desired Content Area (e.g., Course Documents, Course Information)
3. Click Course Link
4. Enter a Name in the field
5. Optional: Enter text in the Text box and/or paste text into the Text box
6. Click Browse
7. Select a course location to link to
8. Select desired settings in the Options section
9. Click Submit
10. Click OK

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Copy Contents into the Current Course

1. From the student course view, click any of the navigation items/buttons in the Course Menu
2. Click Edit View (top right corner)
3. 
   Choose an item that you want to reuse somewhere else. Press the Copy* button (right side)
4. From the Destination Course drop-down list, either
   1. select another course to copy this material to
   2. OR select this course to copy material to another section
5. Click Browse next to Destination Folder
6. Select the area of the Destination Course that you want to copy this information into
7. Select Yes or No to Remove item after copy
8. Click Submit
9. Click OK

* Note: True Assignments are associated with the grade book and cannot be copied by this method. There will be no copy button in this case.