Blackboard Content Manager
From BbWiki
The Blackboard Content Manager is an online file storage system for course materials that provides a way to organize content and make it available to your classes or organizations. Access to the system is available via the Internet, so files can be access from anywhere. You can even make folders and files in the Content Manager available to those outside of the TriCo Blackboard system.
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Accessing the Content Manager
To access the Content Manager, log in to Blackboard and click on the "Content Manager" tab at the top of the screen.
If you do not see the "Content Manager" tab at the top of the screen then either you are not logged in or you do not have access to the Content Manager.
Content Organization
Within the Blackboard Content Manager, materials are arranged by folders:
- My Content: your personal files.
- Course Content: materials associated with a specific course. A folder is automatically created when a course is activated in Blackboard. The material in this folder is archived when the course is archived and removed in accordance with the TriCo Blackboard policies.
- Organization Content: materials associated with a specific organization.
- Library Content: TriCo library materials.
Why Use the Content Manager
- Group file exchange: a course or organization folder can be set up to allow members of the course or organization to add or modify files.
- File Sharing: Permissions on files can be set to any user or group of users within Blackboard. This makes it easy to share files with all students in a course, colleagues, or all members of a project group. Files can also be made public which means that anyone with an Internet connection can access material.
- Web Publishing: Each file uploaded to the Content Manager has a URL that can be shared with others. To publish a set of web pages or files, put the files in the Content Manager, make them viewable by the public, and publicize the URL.
- File Updating: If the same file is used in many courses, it can be uploaded into the content system and linked to from each course. If the file needs to be changed, the change can be made in one place. Linking a widely used file also reduces the storage required for the system.
How to Use the Content Manager
There are several ways to add content to the Content Manager.
- Web interface (in Blackboard) - upload one file at a time
- Windows Explorer Web Folder - access content in the Content Manager like a newtwork drive (Microsoft Windows only). Easier for uploading many files or folders at one time. See your Blackboard support person for help setting this up.
- WebDAV Client (separate software application) - Upload many files or folders at one time. Check with your Blackboard support person for suggestions on programs to use. CyberDuck for the Mac and Xythos Drive for the PC (Swarthmore only) are good choices.
Adding Content to the Content Manager Using the Web Interface
- Navigate to the location where you would like to put your files. To add materials to your personal collection, go to Content Manager tab in Blackboard and click on "My Content"
- Then click on the "Item" link on the menu.
- Click "Choose File" and find the file you want to upload.
- Click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page.
- You should then see your file in the file listing.
Making Files Available to Other Users
You can chose to make files available to other Blackboard users, groups, or the general public. To change permissions on a file or folder:
- Click on the "Modify" link for the item you would like to change.
- Click on the "Permissions" link (about halfway down the list)
- You will see a list of who can current access the file and what permissions they have (read, write, remove, and manage).
- To make the item available to specific individuals, click on the "Add Users" button and pick the user you want to have access to your item and then what permissions you would like to grant.
- To make the item available to a group, use the pull-down menu on the right. You can make the item available to specific courses, organizations, groups within courses or organizations, or the general public. In general, you can only share information with courses and organizations that you are enrolled in.
- To change existing permissions, click the "Modify" link.
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Inserting a file or folder from the Content Manager into Your Course
Add the item just as you would normally do, but select "Link to Content Collection item" instead of "Attach Local File". You can browse through the Content Manager to find the file you would like to insert.
