The Course Files area in Blackboard is a repository for all of the documents, images, PowerPoint presentations, and any other files that you attach to Items or add to Content Areas in your course. For example, if you add/attach a PDF document to an item, a copy of the PDF file will be taken from you computer and automatically uploaded to the Course Files area in your Blackboard course.
- Tell me more about Course File management
- Tell me how to add content directly to the Course Files area
Course file management storage and access is available in all Blackboard Modules. This file storage facility enables flexibility in how you add content to your Blackboard course. An in-course file storage structure makes it easier to keep track of documents used in courses, similar to the type of file and folder structure that is used on your PC. You can upload your files into a file manager and link to them where they are needed. Not only can you upload items, you can create items and add folders. This allows you to replace files as they need updates, without breaking the links, as long as you do so properly. Sometimes, you have files that might be linked to several areas in your course (e.g. the same PDF document is available in your week 4 learning materials page and in your week 11 revision materials page). This system enables you to update the file in the storage area rather than require you to re-embed an instance of the file in each location, saving you time and effort.
You will find that as you add content to your Blackboard Course you will notice that not only can you Browse Files on your computer but that you can also Browse Course Files in your Blackboard module. As an instructor you can also access Course Files in Edit Mode from the Course Management Files panel under your Course Menu. It is essential that you follow some basic rules when you use this facility and as such should avoid data loss. Similarly to when you store files on your own PC – you probably have a folder tree structure and have grouped your content accordingly, with clearly named course files. This structure should mirror your approach with the Course Files in your module shell.
The Course Files area can be accessed via the Control Panel menu in your Course Management section by clicking the arrow to the right of Files
Adding content directly to the Course Files area:
Create a Folder – You can create folders in the Course Files area, into which you can upload files that you can then link to from you Blackboard shell.
Uploading Multiple Files and Folders – You can upload multiple files to a folder in the Course files area
Upload a Single File – You can upload individual files to a folder in the Course files area
Uploading Packages – You can upload zipped (.zip) packages to the Course Files area
Copying and Moving files – you can copy or move files into different folders in the Course Files area
You can create folders in the Course Files area, into which you can upload files that you can then link to from you Blackboard shell.
This is a folder:
which when on clicking its name, lists all of the files contained within it:
To create a folder:
1. Select the Create Folder button
2. Name the folder and click Submit
A folder will now appear in your Content Files area
To upload multiple files and folders:
From your Course Files area
1. Click the Upload button and select Upload Files from the dropdown menu
The following window will open.
2. Please read the instructions on screen, you can either upload by selecting the Browse button or by 'dragging and dropping files or folders'. Upon dropping content into the area, a new window will appear listing the items that have been added to the upload dropbox. In the image below, a folder called Staff:Student Guidelines which contained three pdf files was 'dragged and dropped' into the upload dropbox. You can see that the folder and the items that it contains are clearly displayed.
3. To upload the files to the Course Files area, select the Submit button. You will notice a progress bar and an upload success message on completion of the upload.
1. Toggle the tab at the top right of the Upload Files area to Single File (the other setting is Multiple Files)
2. The procedure for uploading individual files is a very similar process to multiple file uploading, whereby you Browse your desktop for a file and upload it via the Submit button.
Uploading Packages (i.e.. zipped files)
You can upload zipped packages through Course Files. These packages will be automatically 'unzipped' in your Course Files area.
1. Select Upload Package from the Upload dropdown menu in the Course File area
2. In the Upload package window browse to your zipped file, please be aware of the checkbox note about overwriting existing files.
3. Click Submit and your zipped file items will be unpacked and listed in the Course Files area.
4. You can now point to your unpacked files when adding content to your Blackboard course.
It is possible to copy or move files into different folders in the Course Files area of a particular course.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When using the Move function the files being moved are deleted from the folder in which they originally resided.
1. In the Course Files area use the checkboxes to select which item(s) you wish to copy
2. Click the Copy button
3. In the new window that opens check that the files selected for copying are correct.
4. In the Destination selection area click Browse
Note: be aware of the checkbox concerning the overwriting of existing files
In the popup window that opens, select the destination folder into which your files will be copied (in this instance it is the 'test folder' folder), and then click Submit
5. Exactly the same procedure is used for the Move files function.
Remember: when files are Moved they are deleted from their original folder