Sway can be useful if you already have some content that you would like to display as a simple Webpage. You can of course build from scratch in Sway (see this useful tutorial on SWAY ). You can access Sway via your Office/0365 DMU account.
The guide below provides an overview for
- Converting an existent file into a Sway (pdf, word or powerpoint)
- Alternative method for converting an 0365 document into a simple webpage
- Embedding a Sway in the VLE (end of page below)
You might want to use Sway to present your materials in a different format or to use the templates. Always check you’ve set the viewing permissions before sharing. It’s also important to note that if you’re working from previously prepared content, it is likely that this will display differently from your original format: so do check and edit the Sway, if needed.
Turn an existing file (pdf, MS Word, Powerpoint) into a simple Webpage, using Sway
This first way to convert your file is to start from my Sway. Select Start from a document, browse to find your file, then click open. This currently works for pdf, word or powerpoint, although there is a file limit of 20MB.
Once your Sway is created you can share it in a number of ways from the settings in top-right corner of the Sway.
Transforming a Word document to a simple Webpage, using Sway
An alternative method for converting directly from your Word file.
- If your Word document is not already in 1Drive: login to your 0365 account and upload the document into your 1Drive
2. In 1Drive, open your Word document. To save the document as a Sway page: click File>Export>Transform to Webpage
On the next screen you just need to follow through by clicking the Transform button.
The Sway will now be generated. It may take a minute, then offer the option to Edit.
Note if you are in My Sways you can get the link from there also: click on the 3 dots at the top-right of the Sway. You can either click to copy the link or to play the Sway.
- Sway has accessibility checks built in and available in the settings.
- Ensure you have set the permissions first, to specify who is able to view the Sway before circulating the link.
Checking and Editing your Sway
Note: Although Sway will automatically try to convert your document, it may not necessarily create it exactly how you want it. Ensure you look through to check that images or text is displaying correctly in Sway, and edit if needed.
If you are unfamiliar with SWAY, a great way to learn to edit is through this SWAY tutorial and example from Microsoft
Embedding a Sway
If you decide to use the Embed code to embed the Sway into the content item in Blackboard, pay particular attention that the Sway is displayed as you intended. The process is similar to the above, but this time you select the Embed code in Sway. You then need to ensure you copy the embed code into the source code editor in the Blackboard item text box. The process is described below.
Word in 1Drive. (File>Export>Transform to Webpage)
Select </> Get embed code
Click to copy the Sway embed code. (Note if you do not see the embed code option, click on Edit (top-right of your Sway) then, then click Share. The embed code options should display.)
Copy Embed Code
Embedding the Sway in Blackboard
Now, go to the content area where you want to display the Sway.
- Click Build Content>create Item
Build content Item
2. Type in a name for the content Item, and then in the text editor switch to the Source code view (you’ll find the <> icon on the bottom row in the formatting textbox).
Paste the embed code you previously copied into here and then Save, then Submit.
To improve the appearance of your Sway, you may need to amend the dimensions of the Sway. You can do this by going back to edit the item. Select the Source code icon in the formatting tool bar: check the height and width in particular.
(you may need to edit and save a couple of times to get it to display as you want)
Depending on your permission settings, note that users may have to login to their Office 365 account, if not already, to view the Sway. Students will be able to download the file if needed.