Adding Content

There are several ways you can add or upload content to your course. You can create new course content items, copy content from other courses, upload files from your computer, add items from your Content Collection, add files from cloud storage, and add content and tools from external sources.

First, on your course content page, select the plus icon where you want to add content. Hover your cursor over where you want to add the new content and select the purple plus.

 
The Create Item menu will open. Select Create to add tests, assignments, discussions, journals, learning modules, folders, documents, and course or web links. 

 
Select Copy Content to open the Copy Items page to add content items from your other courses or organizations. If you teach many courses, use the search bar to find courses by name or course ID.

• You can select a course’s check box to copy all the content in that course or select the course name to browse specific content and select the items you want to copy.
• Select the book next to the course name to go back to the main page.
• Select View All to see what you’ve selected to copy.
• When you’re finished, select Copy Selected Content.

Use Upload to add files directly from your own computer to the Course Content page. After selecting the file, choose the appropriate File Option for allowing students to view and/or download the content.

 
The Cloud Storage option allows you to transfer and use files saved in other web apps that run in the "cloud" and that aren't installed on your computer.

• If this is your first time accessing cloud storage, you will have to sign in and allow the cloud integration service to connect to your web app. You can manage your accounts and cloud services from the Accounts menu.
• In the cloud storage window, you can see your files for the selected web app. Select a folder to view the contents or an individual file you want to upload.
• Then, click Select to add the file to the page.

The Content Market is a gateway for your users to find and add valuable external learning materials to their courses, including web-based tools and content from many different providers, including academic publishers. 

 
Finally, you can add files that you’ve previously uploaded into another course by selecting Content Collection to get started.

• Use the Browse Content Collection function to explore what's available. Here, you can find files stored from your other courses. You'll also have access to files that your institution has added and shared.
• When you find a file, you want to add to your current course, select the checkbox next to the file name. You can continue to browse and select files—the system shows how many files you've selected at the bottom of the window. Once you’re ready to add, select submit to review your list of selected items.
• You can review the list of selected files before you import into your course to confirm that these are the correct files.
• Forgot something? You can continue adding items to the list. Select Back to Content Collection to continue browsing.
  • To remove or edit a file from the list, open the More options menu. Select Delete if you no longer want to copy the file to your course. Select Edit to change the file's name or description.
• When you are finished, select Save and the files will be added to your course.
   

Enhanced documents provide new and robust options for content design. All enhancements work using a mouse, trackpad, or the keyboard and are mobile friendly for instructors and students.

Procedure

To create a Document using content blocks, click the purple plus sign, select Create and click Document in the Create Item menu.

After giving the document a title, click on the type of content block to add content. Choices include:

• Content block 
  • Add content via the content editor. This is the same content editor that is used throughout your course.
• HTML block 
  • Add content via HTML or CSS in the document. 
• File upload block 
  • Browse for files on the local machine to upload to the document. 
• Content Collection block 
  • Browse the Content Collection and select a file to add to the document.
• Convert a file block 
  • Browse for files on your local computer. Once selected, the system converts the file into the document format. Supported file types include PDF, PowerPoint (ppt, pptx, pps), and Word (doc, docx, odt). 

NOTE: In the current release, the option to convert a file is only available in the main authoring space. In the Add Content panel (the + menu), the option to convert a file doesn’t appear. Anthology will correct this in an upcoming release.

• Image block
  • Instructors can use image blocks to upload their own images, use the AI Design Assistant to generate images, or select images from Unsplash. Image blocks can be moved throughout a Document, just like other block types. Instructors have the option to resize images, set height, and maintain aspect ratios in image blocks.
• Cloud upload block 
  • Login to a cloud service and select a file to add into the document. 

Import from Cloud Options

Documents Menu Bar

The menu bar remains in view as the instructor scrolls the document to view, add, or edit content. The menu bar contains the edit option when in the view state. After selecting edit, the menu bar displays the following options: 

• Edit 
• Add Blocks 
• Undo/Redo 
• Cancel 
• Save 

You can open the left panel by selecting the + and choosing the desired block. 

 
Add blocks from the left panel or select the purple + to add a block as a row.

Editing, Resizing, and Moving Blocks 

Click the Edit button whenever you need to edit the document.

 
You can create appealing layouts by resizing and dragging/dropping blocks into columns and rows. 

• Each row includes a menu with options to move or delete the block. 
• Each block includes a menu with options to edit, move, resize, or delete the block. 

Move, expand, and shrink options via keyboard controls.

 
Enhanced Document Examples with Diverse Content Laid Out in Rows and Columns

Example 1
 

Example 2
 

The Knowledge Check enhances the learning experience. Knowledge checks allow students to engage with content and receive immediate feedback. Instructors are also empowered with valuable insights to tailor their teaching strategies. 

Key Features:

• Question Types: Multiple choice and multiple answer questions 
• Feedback: Pre-populated correct and incorrect answer feedback, which instructors can edit 
• Student Interaction: Students can select an answer and submit it. They receive immediate feedback on whether their answer is correct or incorrect. Knowledge checks allow unlimited attempts. 
• Metrics: Instructors can access detailed metrics including: 
  • Number of students participating 
  • Total number of attempts 
  • Average number of attempts to reach the correct answer 
  • Maximum number of attempts to reach the correct answer 
  • Level of difficulty metric 
  • Percentage of students selecting each answer option 

To add a Knowledge Check, click on the Knowledge check block when creating or editing a document.

 
 Fill in the question text, answer options, and feedback. Click Save when done. 

Image 1. Instructor view - Knowledge Check creation

 
After saving the Knowledge Check, instructors may resize and move it as desired within the document.

Image 2. Animation of student experience interacting with Knowledge Check

 
Image 3. Instructor view of Knowledge Check metrics

 
NOTE: Grading for Knowledge Checks isn't currently supported. There are also no notifications specific to Knowledge Checks. 
 

It’s important to add the GVSU Save link and its associated files to your course and make them available at the beginning of the semester so that students can access the materials or opt-out by the designated date.

Log into Blackboard and navigate to a course where you want to add the GVSU Save / VitalSource Bookshelf course materials link.

On the Course Content page, click the purple + sign where you would like to insert the link and select “Content Market”.

 
Locate the “GVSU Save Course Materials” tool and click the + sign in the bottom right corner of its tool panel.

 
 This will add a link to your Course Content page titled “GVSU Save Course Materials”.

 
Click the three dots icon next to the link and select “Edit”.

 
By default, the link will be hidden from students. Click the eye icon and select “Visible to students” to make the link available.

Scroll down to the “Description” field and enter the following text:

GVSU SAVE course materials are required by your instructor. To Opt-Out just click on the link above and follow the instructions. YOU MUST OPT-OUT BY (ENTER DATE HERE). Your student account will be refunded if you Opt-Out by this date.

NOTE: The (ENTER DATE HERE) will vary by semester. Please contact the GVSU LakerStore for additional information.

Click the “Save” button.

 
NOTE: To complete the next steps, you will need to save the "GVSUSave-Flyer_V21.pdf" and the "Bookshelf Online - completing your full account - GVSU Save_2024.pdf" files in the “Attachments” section of this article, click on the name of each file to download it to your computer.

Add the “GVSU Save Program Information” File

On the Course Content page, just below the newly added “GVSU Save Course Materials” link, click the purple + sign and select “Upload”.

 
Navigate to the “GVSUSave-Flyer_V21.pdf” on your computer, select the file and click “Open” to upload the file.

In the Edit File Options pop-up window, enter “GVSU Save Program Information” for the Display Name, select the “View and download” checkbox and click the “Save” button.

 
Click the “Hidden from students” dropdown menu and select “Visible to students” to make the link available. 

 
Add the “Bookshelf Online - completing your full account - GVSU Save” File

On the Course Content page, just below the newly added “GVSU Save Program Information” file, click the purple + sign and select “Upload”.

 
Navigate to the "Bookshelf Online - completing your full account - GVSU Save_2024.pdf" file on your computer, select the file and click “Open” to upload the file.

In the Edit File Options pop-up window, enter “Bookshelf Online - completing your full account - GVSU Save” for the Display Name, select the “View and download” checkbox and click the “Save” button.

 
Click the “Hidden from students” dropdown menu and select “Visible to students” to make the link available. 

 
Test the GVSU Save Course Materials link.

You can test the “GVSU Save Course Materials” link by clicking the link and launching the tool. Select the orange “Read Now” button to open the eBook for review.

 
NOTE: Your eBook may not be immediately available. Please contact the GVSU LakerStore for additional information.
 

A course link serves as a convenient shortcut to an existing area, tool, or item within a course. Conversely, a web link directs users to a specific URL on the Internet. Course links facilitate easy access to content, minimizing unnecessary scrolling and clicks, while web links offer students supplementary resources relevant to the lesson or module.

Procedure

1. Click the plus icon (+) to access content options.
2. From the content list, select Create.

 
3. The Create Item layer opens. Click on Link.

 
4. The New Link layer opens and from there, you can select the Create Course Link  or Create Web Link tab.

5. Enter a keyword and/or select categories to locate the target content, for e.g. Assessments to bring up a list of Assignments and Tests.
6. Click search to view the search results. Select the desired content item.
7. Course links inherit the description of their target item if one is included. You may edit the description and the Display Name as desired. 

 
8. Once the desired changes have been made, click Save.
9. The course link will appear within the course content and will be indicated by a link icon in the upper left corner of the item.  

10. Instructors can change the visibility and release conditions by editing the Course Link or the target content. A change made to one applies to the other. Instructors can use Batch Edit to modify linked items but not associated Course Links.

NOTE: If you create a course link to a tool that isn't turned on, students who access the course link see a message that the tool isn't turned on. The same is true of a course link to a content item that you applied release criteria to.

To add a web link, please complete the Display Name field, enter the URL in the Link URL field, and provide a description if desired. Additionally, adjust the visibility settings for students and click Save.
 

Embedding YouTube videos into your course enhances accessibility for students, making it easier for them to view the content. You can embed YouTube videos in your Blackboard Ultra document using the dedicated YouTube option in the content editor or by utilizing the HTML editor to insert the embed code.

Adding from the Content Editor

In the content editor, click on the Insert Content button (+) from the list and select YouTube Video. In the new page, type the title of the video and click Search. Once you've found the video, click Select.

 
In the next page, click Insert.

Once back in your Blackboard course, you can add more videos using the steps ahead if needed, then click Save.

 
Using the HTML embed code in a Document

For added flexibility you can use the HTML embed code found in the YouTube video’s settings to insert/embed the video into a course document.
First, create a new document by following Steps 1 through 3 above, but instead of clicking Add Content, you will click Add HTML. 

 
Open a different browser tab, navigate to the YouTube video you would like to embed and under the YouTube video, click Share.

Click Embed, then click Copy near the long Embed Video code.

 
Navigate back to your course document, and in the HTML box, right-click your mouse and select Paste.

Once the HTML code has been pasted in the code box, click Save.

 
Your YouTube video has now been embedded in your course document.
 

This tool is beneficial for incorporating GVSU library resources directly into your course, enabling students to easily access scholarly readings and other Library content.

Procedure

1. Go to your course's Content tab and click the plus icon (+) to access content options.
2. From the content list, select Content Market.

3. Scroll down until you locate Library Search.

 
4. After you click the Library Search, you will be taken to the University Libraries Search.
5. In the search bar, enter your Keyword, Title, or Author and click Search.

 
NOTE: Depending on the search contents, results may take a moment to display.

6. Once results have been displayed, scroll through until you find the appropriate resource. Once located, click the Add Item button to add the specific resource to your Blackboard course.

 
7. You will be redirected back to your Blackboard course where the resource has been added and made visible to students.
8. Click on the title to be redirected to the resource.
 

Instructors and students can now print Documents or save them to PDF, providing more ways to engage with content. This new option allows users to: 

• Review content offline
• Share content with students or peers
• Physically archive content 

To print a Document, select Print. Use the browser to print options to select the following: 

• A printer or the PDF option
• The page range
• The layout

When printing from a mobile device, the Document prints as displayed on a desktop web browser. 

Depending on the size of some content (for example, images), items may shift to the next page depending on the page layout and scale. 

Instructors 

• Knowledge check blocks print with all the question and answer options.
• All other blocks print as displayed outside of editing mode.

Image 1. The new Print button for Documents is now available for instructors.

Students 

• Knowledge check blocks appear in the same way that they are on the Document page when the student chooses to print.
• If a student hasn’t answered a knowledge check, the block prints as unanswered.
• If a student has answered the knowledge check, the block prints as displayed along with any instructor feedback. 

Image 2. The new Print button for Documents is now available for students.