Adding Content
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FAQs: Adding Content
These FAQs address issues dealing with adding content to Blackboard courses. If you have a question that is not addressed here check the Adding Content Guides, or e-mail your question to online-support@newcastle.edu.au
General
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Adding Information, File Types, etc
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Linking to Scholarly Information and External Resources
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I'd like to include links for my students to online scholarly resources, but I don't know what's available. Where can I find more information? Can I digitize documents and place them on my Blackboard course site? How do I include links to full text journal articles? How can I link Blackboard to resources contained in Short Loans Online? |
Q. Can I rename navigation buttons within my Blackboard course?
Yes - Blackboard version 6 enables instructors to have complete control over the navigation provided within their course sites.
This includes the ability to:
set button or text course navigation elements
Q: I have renamed by course menu links and they are not displaying. Why is this happening?
Since Blackboard upgraded to version 6.3, you now need to click the Refresh link on your course menu EVERY time you make a change.
Re-name Course Navigation Elements
go to 
and select Manage Course Menu (within the "Course Options" section).
| The default course menu will appear, with the current Menu Name listed in bold, and the menu area it belongs to in italics underneath. |  |
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Select Enter a new menu name in the Area name: text box, select the properties required, then |
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Create Additional Course Navigation Elements
- go to and select Manage Course Menu (within the "Course Options" section). The present course menu will appear, with the Menu Name in bold, and the menu area it belongs to in italics underneath.
- Select an area to add from the options at the top of the window:
- At the Add New area screen enter a menu name in the Area name: text box, select the properties required, then
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Set Button or Text Course Navigation Elements
- go to and select Settings (within the "Course Options" section), then Course Design > Course Design.
Select either Buttons or Text for the Navigation Style, and choose the background and highlight colour for text. 
Q. Is there a spell checker in Blackboard?
There is currently no spell check function available in Blackboard. However, one way to get around this is by typing the original document in a word processor (such as Microsoft Word) that does have a spell checker, then do one of the following:
- highlight the material and copy (Ctrl-C) from the original document; then, select the text box in Blackboard where the material is to be placed, right click, and select paste(or Ctrl-V)
- save the document to your computer, and then simply use Blackboard's "browse" function to attach the document.
Q. Should I delete menu options not used on my course site?
Yes. If you don't plan to use one of the navigation buttons or areas, you should delete them. Deleting unused buttons will help your students navigate around your Blackboard course site and save unnecessary confusion. You can always add these menu options if you decide later on to use them.
To delete navigation options:
- access your Blackboard course site, and select .
- select Manage Course Menu (within the "Course Options " area), then
any unused navigation areas.
Q. What guidelines are there for developing web accessible material for my course?
At the beginning of the 2000 academic year, over a thousand University of Newcastle students declared on their enrolment forms that they had some form of disability. These students' disabilities include blindness, vision impairment, learning disabilities, and inability to use a mouse, deafness, hearing impairment and others.
As more course information, reading materials and assessment tasks are placed on the web it is extremely important that we ensure accessibility for all students.
The way you develop your own web resources impacts significantly on web accessibility. See the University's Accessible Web site for guidelines. For more information about assistive technology support at the University of Newcastle, see the Disability Support Services.
Blackboard Inc have also produced a guide, Blackboard Best Practices: Making Course Content Available to Students with Disabilities, that outlines some strategies for producing materials suitable for users with disabilities. Whilst this guide discusses legal requirements and guidelines specific to the US, much of the content is relevant to Newcastle Blackboard users.
Some quick tips for making your site accessible:
- images: use the "alternate text" tag to include a description for images
- multimedia: provide transcripts for audio and descriptions for video segments
- hypertext links: use text that makes sense when read out of context. Avoid using "click here" or "link to file"
- page organization: use folders and document titles appropriately. Organize materials in a consistent manner
- Adobe PDF files: include a text-only version.
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Q. Why are my students unable to access my Blackboard course when I can?
If all of your students report the same problem, it is likely that the problem will either be:
- the course has been set as unavailable, and appears in an instructor's list marked [Unavailable]. The course will need to be made available.
- the course duration has been reset from "Continuous" to a specific date range
- if just a few students are having trouble accessing the site, and others can, those students may be having a problem with their Blackboard user accounts or logins.
Making a course "Available"
If a course is marked [Unavailable] instructors will be able to see and modify the site, but students cannot access it. To check if this is the case, look in your "My Blackboard" list of courses to see if the course in question shows "[Unavailable]" beside it.
To make a course available:
- open the , then choose Settings (in the "Course Options" section)
- select Course Availability, click the 'Yes' option for "Make Course Available", then . ("No" means the course will only appear in the instructor's list of courses. It will not appear to enrolled users nor will it be listed in the Course Catalog in the Courses tab).
Setting the Course Duration to "Continuous"
Even if you have made a course available under the "Course Availability" option in the , it may still be unavailable if the "Continuous option" is NOT selected under "Course Duration".
To check this:
- open the , then choose Settings (in the "Course Options" section)
- select Course Duration
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Ensure that Continuous is selected. When you choose "Select Dates"and then select Start and End Dates, the course will be unavailable outside the selected period, even though "Course Availability" is set to "Yes". |
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Problems with Blackboard user accounts
Course registration within Blackboard is based on the corresponding course information contained in NUSTAR, with any changes to enrolments in NUSTAR updated to the Blackboard system approximately every 6 hours (at 8am, 12noon, 6pm and 10pm).
If a student cannot access your Blackboard course site, check if the student is enrolled in your Blackboard course. ie. are they listed in the course's user list? You can check this by selecting , then List/ Modify Users.
If they are listed:
- They may not be logging in correctly. Advise them of their username (student number preceded by a "c"), and, ask them to try again, (ensuring that their password is entered in lowercase). As Blackboard passwords are synchronized with the Internet Access Password, users who have forgotten this password can look up their details via the “Forgot Your Password?” link on the Blackboard login screen (or directly via the Retrieving Your Username and Password webpage.
If they are not listed:
- The problem may be related to their enrolment. Get them to check this at the Online Enrolment and Course Variations webpage. Once logged in, select Course Enrolment", then Course Enrolment Basket.
If a course is not listed, students will need to check with the Student Services Centre:
Email: enquirycentre@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 1800 636 466
Location: Student Services Centre, next to the Hunter Union, Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle.
Q. Could files I download from Blackboard contain viruses?
Potentially - yes. The Blackboard server is scanned weekly for viruses. As Blackboard allows you to share e-mail and files, it is prudent to ALWAYS be sure you are running up-to-date virus protection on your computer to prevent the spread of malicious computer viruses.
Consider setting your scanner to "disinfect" as well as "identify" files. This gives you warning if the file you are about to download has a virus. A number of word processing and spreadsheet software use "macros" which sometimes contain viruses, but often do not.
Q. Can a page within my Blackboard course be bookmarked?
Since Blackboard arranges your course site within frames, it is not possible to bookmark a particular page within courses. All bookmarks created from pages within a Blackboard course will simply point to the main Blackboard login.
Q. What file types are supported by Blackboard?
Blackboard supports most standard file types used in spreadsheets, word processing, presentation software, graphics, audio, and video. There are, however, software types that are relatively specialized in one way or another, e.g., CAD/CAM software, that Blackboard does not support. See the Blackboard 6: Instructor Manual. Chapter 2 - Content Areas > Course Content > Add/Modify Course Content Item (HTML) for more details.
Blackboard itself does not facilitate the opening or viewing of these materials - the appropriate application must be available on the computer being used. For example, to view a Word 2000 document, Microsoft Word must be launched. Sometimes the same or most recent version of the application is required in order to open and view a document - for example, only Word 97 and later can successfully open a Word 2000 document.
As much as possible, use a common application format to create the documents you include on your Blackboard course site. (eg. Microsoft Word for word processing). To accommodate those students who either do not have the application, or the most recent version of the application installed on their computers consider:
- including links to free plug-ins that will allow them to view the document
- converting course materials to PDF format using Adobe Acrobat software. When a file is saved as PDF the formatting of the document (instructions for which parts of the document are bold, italic, enlarged, etc) is preserved and will look the same in whatever type of computer it is opened in. PDF files are viewable with the free Adobe Reader.
- being aware of other considerations, such as the size of files, fonts used, filenames and extensions when creating documents for your Blackboard course site.
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Q. Is there a maximum file size limit in Blackboard?
No. However, when developing course materials, remember that students may be connecting to your Blackboard site via a modem. Files should be kept small enough so that users with slower connections will still be able to access them in a reasonable time.
Many instructors are unaware of the problems students face when downloading course materials from Blackboard, and some of the ways these can be addressed.
Try to minimize file size as much as possible. The Blackboard at the University of Newcastle: Practical Tips document contains a number of recommendations about reducing file sizes.
Q. Can I incorporate mathematical equations within my course site?
Yes. Blackboard version 6 includes the ability to use mathematical equations in any area.
Two tools are provided:
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Math and Science Notation Tool (WebEQ Equation Editor) enables users to use mathematical and scientific notation throughout Blackboard. Users are able to add new equations and edit equations they have created in the past. Once an equation has been created it can be copied and used again or copied and modified using the WebEQ Equation Editor features. |
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MathML Equation Editor is a separate equation editor that functions in the same way as the Math and Science Notation Tool. Instead of opening with the symbol buttons, a blank text box will appear where users can enter MathML. |
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Q. I have a PowerPoint presentation I would like to make available to students - what options are available for uploading?
There are several options available for making PowerPoint presentations available within Blackboard. Whichever option an instructor chooses to use really depends on what students are expected to gain from the PowerPoint presentation, the amount of detail or images included, etc.
It is recommended, however, that instructors upload their files in more than one format to allow flexibility for students.
- upload the Powerpoint presentation as is (ppt file)
- convert the Powerpoint into:
(a) HTML
(b) RTF
(c) PDF
(d) Impatica (streamed file)
1. Upload the actual PowerPoint presentation (ppt file)
This will allow students to view, edit, and print your presentation. However, it means that students require either the full PowerPoint program loaded on their computer, or download the PowerPoint viewer. Uploading as a "ppt" file means that the full presentation will be opened when selected within Blackboard. This may cause problems if the file is large, particularly to students accessing your course site off-campus.
Whilst PowerPoint provides and excellent format for the delivery of lecture notes, generally, it is not recommended that instructors upload an entire PowerPoint presentation to Blackboard as a “ppt” file, as students will often print the presentation one slide at a time, resulting in expensive print charges. Instead, make two versions of your PowerPoint – one for in-class presentation, and another scaled-down version for delivery via Blackboard. This second version is also important in terms of accessibility as some screen readers can read PowerPoint slides on the Web to some degree, but not well enough to be considered truly "accessible."
If it is deemed absolutely necessary to make a full PowerPoint presentation available to students, consider the following:
- Remove unnecessary background colours, graphics and animations. Sound and animation effects increase the size of files considerably.
- If a background image is necessary, place this on the master slide, resulting in just one copy of the graphic used.
- Try dividing an existing file into smaller files allowing students to download in multiple stages. For example, a large slide presentation of 40 slides can be divided into four files of 10 slides each.
- Do not include an image on the first slide of a PowerPoint presentation. This will reduce the file size as the file preview will not contain an image.
This will allow students to view and print the presentation within their web browser like any other webpage written in "html". This option is especially useful for students using older versions of PowerPoint than what was used to create the file, or those students who don't have PowerPoint installed at all. Because each slide is displayed one page at a time when converted to "html", the file will not take as long to load particularly for those accessing off-campus. Additionally, students can access the presentation without the need for either Microsoft PowerPoint or the PowerPoint Viewer.
Printing of "html" formatted presentations will, however, be an issue as printing is restricted to one full slide per page (the "Handout" view is not available). No animation is supported with HTML converted files.
To convert to HTML:
- select File > Save As. From the Save As window select Web Page from the Save As Type drop down list.
For text based presentations or if students only need to view the outline of a presentation, this option will save the text in Rich Text Format (RTF) which can be opened by most word processing programs. This option will reduce compatibility issues and save most formatting attributes present in the original file. To convert to RTF:
- select File > Send To > Microsoft Word to extract the presentation outline
This format creates the most print friendly files from PowerPoint presentations, particularly when images are needed.
Convert to “pdf” format using the layout of 2, 3, or 6 slides per page (from within PowerPoint). Converting to pdf requires the full version of Adobe Acrobat; this is not the free Acrobat Viewer. Adobe Acrobat may be purchased via University Software Sales at academic pricing – check the University Software Sales website for more details.
In order to open files, students will need the free Acrobat Reader.
2d. Convert to a streamed file via Impatica
Talk to the Learning Production Group staff in Education Services about using Impatica for PowerPoint. This software compresses and converts PowerPoint presentations (by an average 95%) into a streaming file format, reducing file sizes dramatically resulting in faster playing of presentations. No additional plug-ins are required to view presentations (this also means that users do not need the relevant PowerPoint viewer to view the presentation). For more detail see the Impatica website, or email greg.boddy@newcastle.edu.au from the Learning Production Group.
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Q. What considerations should I be aware of when creating documents?
When creating course materials to be uploaded to a Blackboard course site, consider the following:
1. Use common applications and styles to create documents
Blackboard supports most standard file types used in spreadsheets, word processing, presentation software, graphics, audio, and video. There are, however, software types that are relatively specialized in one way or another, e.g., CAD/CAM software, that Blackboard does not support. See the Blackboard 6: Instructor Manual. Chapter 2 - Content Areas > Course Content > Add/Modify Course Content Item (HTML) for more details.
Blackboard itself does not facilitate the opening or viewing of these materials - the appropriate application must be available on the computer being used. For example, to view a Word 2000 document, Microsoft Word must be launched. Sometimes the same or most recent version of the application is required in order to open and view a document - only Word 97 and later can successfully open a Word 2000 document.
Although each file format has its own strengths and weaknesses, there are some basic issues instructors should bear in mind when selecting the format for Blackboard delivered teaching and learning materials. When creating course materials to be uploaded in Blackboard, consider the following:
- Use a common application format. For example, Microsoft Word for word processing is easy to use, and is a standard interface which most students are familiar with.
- Save in a format that can be opened by previous versions of the application (eg. save as Word 6 rather than Word 2000), or consider saving as an RTF or TXT file - the document looks much the same in all cases on a MAC, Unix, or Windows computer.
- Use common fonts that are installed on most computers to prevent the use of substitute fonts that might alter the appearance of your document. Check a list of common fonts.
- If linking to web pages that you have created, keep in mind to be consistent with your use of ".htm" or ".html". Both are valid, but by using just one or the other, students will not have to remember which page uses which extension.
- Avoid using external style sheets (i.e. css) in HTML documents.
Name files appropriately, otherwise they may be unreadable:
- Keep filenames short - use eight letters or less. This makes it easier to remember file names and keeps URLs shorter. If someone (or you) need to type the URL in, the shorter, the better!
- Avoid using spaces, capital letters, underscores or special characters such as ? # ! @ - its best to stick to letters, numbers and underscores
- Avoid using capital letters. Web servers are case sensitive, so "CBrown.pdf" and "cbrown.pdf" are two different files. By avoiding capitals, you and anyone typing your URL do not have to remember which letters are capitalized.
CorrectIncorrectname.doc
name_name.doc
NameName.doc
name1.docname name.doc (space in name)
name-name.doc (dash)
name&name.doc (ampersand)
name#1.doc (hash)
name/name.doc (slash)
name (no filename extension)
• Save with the three-letter file name extension associated with the application type, for example “.doc”, “.ppt”. This way, once selected, a file should open automatically on a user’s computer within the required application. Standard file name extensions also allow for better file management and identification. See the Blackboard 6: Instructor Manual. Chapter 2 - Content Areas > Course Content > Add/Modify Course Content Item (HTML) for a list of common file name extensions.
- If linking to webpages that you have created keep in mind to be be consistent with your use of ".htm" or ".html". Both are valid, but by using just one or the other, you will not have to remember which page uses which extension.
Consider file sizes and hence download times, especially via modem lines. When including a link to files you should state the size, especially if it is larger than 1.4MB (floppy disc size). The Blackboard at the University of Newcastle: Practical Tips document contains a number of recommendations about reducing file sizes.
4. Consider students who may not have required applications
To accommodate those students who either do not have application software, or the most recent version of the application installed on their computers provide links to plugins and viewers.
5. Test downloading your course documents
It is advisable to test download course materials using different browsers and computer platforms. For example, if you have developed and tested your materials on a Mac using Netscape Navigator, it is advisable to test downloading and opening them using Internet Explorer on a MAC, as well as both browsers on a PC. Also consider test downloading course documents via a modem line, and from within the Central Computer Laboratories environment.
Blackboard makes the exchange of files very easy. Along with that ease also comes the risk of downloading a computer virus. The Blackboard server is scanned weekly for viruses. Therefore, be sure to advise students to scan files that they upload/ download from Blackboard with regularly updated virus-protection software. And consider setting your scanner to "disinfect" as well as "identify" files. This gives warning if a file you are about to download has a virus. A number of word processing and spreadsheet software use "macros" which sometimes contain viruses, but often do not.
Check the University’s Desktop Support website for information on the latest viruses, FAQs, and download free anti-virus software (SOPHOS) available for staff and students.
Q. Why does the file I upload appear as "gibberish" in Blackboard?
Failing to provide a file extension can cause the file to appear as gibberish when downloaded via Blackboard. Mac users may be accustomed to the fact that it is not necessary to add file extensions to file names when using the Macintosh Operating System, however, you must use file extensions when uploading files to Blackboard courses.
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Q. How can I prepare material in advance, "hiding" it until I'm ready for students to use it?
Whenever you see the option to make something "Available", setting that item to "No" will hide that particular item from the student’s point of view, yet still make it available from the instructor’s "Control Panel". You can also set specific dates and times for the item to be visible. This is a great tool when:
- you would like to build the entire course at one time in the beginning of the semester, and then gradually make items available to students during the course of the semester
- you are working on an item and it is not complete
- you want to remove completed assignments
- you would like to offer pop quizzes or hide finished quizzes
- you are not using an entire area of Blackboard in this course
To change the availability of a folder or document:
- select , then the appropriate content area.
- locate the item, and select
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If the item is a document, under "Section 3: Options" you will see a "Choose Date Restrictions" area (see right). If the item is a folder, this will be Section 2 and you will only see the date restrictions and visibility question. 
- To set a specific date and time, select from the drop-down menus.
- "Display after" - will hide the materials from the course view until that date and time
- "Display until" - will hide the materials after the specified date and time. You may use either or both
- "Do you want to make the content visible": - select No to hide the item immediately, or Yes to display the item
- "Display after" - will hide the materials from the course view until that date and time
- click .
Q. What's the difference between "create a link to file" and "unpackage file" when attaching a file?
- "Create a link to this file" - this option attaches the file to the Blackboard document. A link is automatically inserted below the document title to access the file.
- "Unpackage this file" - this option indicates to the system that the file must be unpackaged before displaying.
One other option is also available when creating links to files:
- "Display media file within the page" - this option embeds certain kinds of media within the page itself instead of creating a link (doesn't work with doc files)
Q. Can I copy or move documents from one area of my Blackboard course site to another?
Yes. Blackboard 6 includes a new feature which allows individual items to be copied or moved both within courses or between courses.
- From the select the area where the item is located. Select the
button to the right of the item to be moved:
- From
select:
(a) the Destination Course from the drop down list if the item is to be moved or copied into another course. If the copy or move is within the course leave as is.
(b) the Destination Folder: by clicking
, then the target folder from the list content areas, then 
. The folder path will now appear in the Destination Folder: text box.
- Decide whether the item is to be deleted from the current folder, then .
Q. Can I copy whole areas of content from one course to another?
Yes, by using the Course Copy option. Note: You must be an instructor in both courses to copy material from one to the other.
- Log in to Blackboard, then go to the Blackboard course you want to copy content FROM.
- Go to the course , then under Course Options select Course Copy.
- Select Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course
- You can now (if you know it) either directly enter the course ID of the course you want to copy TO, or search for it using the "Browse" button.
- Select the content areas you wish to copy.
- Submit! Blackboard will e-mail you when the copy has completed (it generally takes about 2-3 minutes).
If you have any questions, please contact the Blackboard administrators.
Q. Can I copy or move documents from one area of my Blackboard course site to another?
Yes. Blackboard 6 includes a new feature which allows individual items to be copied or moved both within courses or between courses.
- From the select the area where the item is located. Select the button to the right of the item to be moved:
- From select:
(a) the Destination Course from the drop down list if the item is to be moved or copied into another course. If the copy or move is within the course leave as is.
(b) the Destination Folder: by clicking, then the target folder from the list content areas, then . The folder path will now appear in the Destination Folder: text box.
- Decide whether the item is to be deleted from the current folder, then .
Q. Can I copy whole areas of content from one course to another?
Yes, by using the Course Copy option. Note: You must be an instructor in both courses to copy material from one to the other.
- Log in to Blackboard, then go to the Blackboard course you want to copy content FROM.
- Go to the course , then under Course Options select Course Copy.
- Select Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course
- You can now (if you know it) either directly enter the course ID of the course you want to copy TO, or search for it using the "Browse" button.
- Select the content areas you wish to copy.
- Submit! Blackboard will e-mail you when the copy has completed (it generally takes about 2-3 minutes).
If you have any questions, please contact the Blackboard administrators.
Q. What's a Learning Unit?
Blackboard Learning Units enable the instructor to set a structured path for progressing through the content within a course. Students can access content, including assessment, in sequential order. The development of self-paced learning is intuitive with Blackboard Learning Units.
Learning Units can be added to any content area via the .
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