16Course Content Items
Updated on 2023-08-20
16.1 Course Content Types
| Content Type |
Description |
| Learning module |
A learning module helps immerse students in the lesson or concept you're teaching. If teachers use a textbook or other materials as the basis for the course curriculum, modules are an effective and logical way to group content to match the pace of these materials. |
| Folder |
Teachers can create two levels of folders to organize the content. After created two levels of folders, a third level or upload a folder into the second-level folder cannot be performed. Use folders to reduce scrolling and help students find materials easily. |
| Document |
Teachers can create a page called a document and add text, audio, video, files, and images. |
| Link |
Teachers can link to an outside website or resource. |
| Teaching Tools and Content Market |
Teachers can include content with the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) technology from Blackboard's partner publishers. LTI is an initiative managed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium to seamlessly integrate externally hosted web-based learning tools into courses. The tools must be authorized by the institution. |
| SCORM package |
SCORM packages are web-based content gathered together into a compressed ZIP file that can be unpackaged and played through a content player. Typically, individual components or entire packages are provided to teachers by schools, publishers, commercial companies, or other sources. |
| Test |
Teachers can create tests to assess student knowledge. Teachers can add question types, such as Essay, Fill in the Blank, Fill in Multiple Blanks, Matching, Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer, and True/False. |
| Assignment |
Teachers can create graded coursework, and manage the grades and feedback for each student or group of students. |
| Discussion |
Teachers can provide a link to a discussion near related content. For example, teachers can add a file for students to read. Then, if you want them to respond in discussions, add a link for easy discussion participation. |
| Journal |
Teachers can provide a link to a journal near related content. Add a prompt to set expectations and guidelines to get students off to a good start. |
[Blackboard Official Website]
Types of Course Content
16.2 Learning Module (Content Container)
Teachers can use learning modules in their courses as containers for organising collections of content. Modules let students navigate from one content item to the next without distractions or extra clicks. A learning module helps immerse students in the lesson or concept of teaching.
Use a learning module to support a course objective, concept, or theme. If teachers use a textbook or other materials as the basis for their course curriculum, modules are an effective and logical way to group content to match the pace of these materials.
Note
Teachers can force a content sequence to make sure students know which content to access and in what order. For details, please refer to "28.4 Release content in sequence within Learning Modules".
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16.2.1 Content Items for Learning Module
- Documents
- Files
- Tests and assignments
- Folders
- Multimedia
- Links to websites, discussions, and journals
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16.2.2 Create Learning Module
1
Input the Learning Module Name.
2
Choose the visibility : Visible to students / Hidden from students / Release conditions. For details, please refer to "16.2.4 Change Module Visibility".
3
Input the Description if any.
4
Add Image if any. (Display in 1:1 ratio)
5
Forced Sequence : To make sure students know which content to access and in what order. For details, please refe to 28.4 Release content in sequence within Learning Modules.
6
Press "Save" Button to confirm.
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16.2.3 Edit Learning Module
1
Click the "Three-dots Menu" of the Learning Module.
2
Chooose "Edit".
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16.2.4 Change Visibility
Teachers can show or hide the module for students, or select conditional availability. Teachers can set the module availability on a certain date, as students achieve a chosen grade, or in a content sequence.
- Visible to students / Hidden from students
- Release Condition: All members / Specific members or groups
- Release Condition: Date/Time “Show on”, “Hide after”
- Release Condition: Performance (graded item)
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When will content appear:
- Show: All course members can see this item in the content list, but they can’t open it until all release conditions are met
- Hide: Hidden items don't appear in the content list until conditions are met
For details, please refe to Release Conditions of Course Content.
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16.2.5 Add Module Content
1
Click the "Arrow" to expend the Learning Module.
2
EITHER click the "Plus Sign", then choose "Add".
OR drag and drop files/folders to the Learning Module area.
3
Content can be added to the Learning Modules.
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16.2.6 Organise content
Drag and drop content within the module to reorder.
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16.2.7 Change Content Visibility or Add Conditions
Like the Learning Module, teachers can control visibility (Visible to students / Hidden from students / Release conditions) of individual items within the learning module.
[Blackboard Official Website]
Create Learning Modules
[Blackboard Official Video]
Create Learning Modules
16.3 Folder (content container)
Teachers can create two levels of folders to organize the content. Students won't get lost looking for materials, and the content is easier to manage. Also, students can navigate easier on smaller screens when they don't have to search for materials. After creating two levels of folders, teachers can't create a third level or upload a folder into the second-level folder.
Note
Be default, folder will be “Hidden from students”, teachers can update the availability and add up to 750 characters for the folder description.
1
Input the Folder Name.
2
Choose the visibility : Visible to students / Hidden from students / Release conditions.
3
Input the Description if any.
4
Press "Save" Button to confirm.
5
A folder can be added to the Course Content Page.
16.4 Document
Combines a variety of materials to view together, such as text, multimedia, and attachments. For example, as a single document, teachers can include introductory text for a lesson, an image for students to view and interact with, and links to web resources. The materials are all presented together in the content list. The longer the content item is, the more the students have to scroll to see all the other materials in the content area.
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16.4.1 Create Document
1
Input the Document Name.
2
Choose the visibility : Visible to students / Hidden from students / Release conditions.
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16.4.2 Add Content
Use the content editor to add content, for the details of using Content Editor, please refer to 17.6 Content Editor.
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16.4.3 Add HTML
Add document content using HTML codes.
Note
For display Chinses characters, please add the following HTML codes in the first line:
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
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16.4.4 Upload from Computer
Add files from computer.
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16.4.5 Browse Content Collection
Teachers can also include content from the Content Collection.
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16.4.6 Upload from Cloud Storage
Teachers can upload files from cloud storage, such as OneDrive® and Google Drive™. When teachers add a file from cloud storage, the system makes a copy of the file in the course. The files aren't linked. Any change teachers make to a file within the course does not apply to the file in cloud storage. If the browser allows, media files display inline.
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16.4.7 Document settings
Teachers can set accommodations for individual students in Roster. Teachers can exempt students from assessment due dates or time limits. Use accommodations to help students progress in the course even though they may have difficulty with some requirements.
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16.4.7.1 Allow class conversation
Conversation can be allowed within a document, anyone can contribute.
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16.4.2.2 Add goals and standards
Teachers can use golds to measure student achievement across programs and curricula. Select “Align with goals” to search for available goals to align with the document. Students will not be able to see the goals aligned with a document.
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16.4.7.3 Add a description (max. 750 characters)
The description appears with the document title on the Course Content Page.
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16.4.9 Word Count
Items are included in word count:
- Individual words
- Web links
- Text in bulleted or numbered lists, but the bullets or numbers themselves aren't included
- Superscript and subscript text not part of another word
Items and formatting elements do NOT affect the word count:
- Images, videos, and file attachments
- Math formulas
- Blank spaces and lines
- Alternative text
[Blackboard Official Website]
Create Ultra Documents
[Blackboard Official Video]
Create a Documents
16.5 Link
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16.5.1 Web Link
Web links allow users to easily refer to content contained outside of the course. Use a web link to link to a website teachers want students to access alongside other materials in the course.
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16.5.2 Course Link
A course link is a shortcut to an existing area, tool, or item in a course. Add course links next to relevant course materials to create a better experience for students. The course link appears on the Course Content Page as a link icon layered over the target item’s icon.
[Blackboard Official Website]
Web Links
[Blackboard Official Website]
Course Links
16.6 Teaching tools with LTI connection
Teachers can include content with the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) technology from Blackboard's partner publishers, more tools will be available in the future.
16.7 SCORM package
One type of web-based learning content you can use in your course is called an SCO, or Shareable Content Object. These SCOs are gathered together into a compressed ZIP file called a content package. The zipped file can be unpackaged and played through a content player.
[Blackboard Official Website]
Add SCORM Packages
16.8 Test
For details, please refer to section 27. Course Test.
16.9 Assignment
For details, please refer to section 25. Course Assignment.
16.10 Discussion
For details, please refer to section 20. Course Discussions.
16.11 Journal
Journals are personal spaces for students to communicate privately with you. Students can also use journals as a self-reflective tool. They can post their opinions, ideas, and concerns about the course, or discuss and analyze course-related materials.
Please refer to the Blackboard Official Guide for details:
[Blackboard Official Website]
Journals
Blackboard Reference Materials:
[Blackboard Official Website]
Types of Course Content
[Blackboard Official Website]
Create Learning Modules
[Blackboard Official Website]
Create Ultra Documents
[Blackboard Official Website]
Web Links
[Blackboard Official Website]
Course Links
[Blackboard Official Website]
Add SCORM Packages
[Blackboard Official Website]
Journals
