Step-by-step Instructions for Basic Blackboard Content Building

Now that you've learned the basics of Blackboard, it's time for some "hands-on" practice inside the Blackboard system.

Note: If you do not yet have a Blackboard account, please visit http://www.chabotcollege.edu/cws/Blackboard/help/ to request a Blackboard account or http://www.chabotcollege.edu/cws/Blackboard/RequestSite/ for the directions to request a site within CLASS Web. (The information and forms provided are for Chabot College faculty use only).

• Change your password
• Modify the Course Design to create buttons or change the color of the background
• Customize the Navigation Buttons - change the names and order according to your needs
• Add a folder in a content area (could be Course Materials or another area)
• Add content to the folder (copy/ paste or attach)
• Create a profile in Staff Information (or Faculty Information, if you've changed the name)
• Add an External Link
• Add a Discussion Forum in the Discussion Board
• Add an announcement to appear in the Announcements page when students login
• Make the course “available” to users
• Logout

Change Password

1. Once on the My Institution page, look on the far left side for a text box titled "Tools," and click on the last item, Personal Information. (If you don't see a box titled "Tools" you are on a different page. To get to the My Institution page, click the "My Institution" tab in the upper left corner).

2. Click Edit Personal Information.

3. On the next page, click Change Password.

4. Type in a password of your choice in both fields.

5. Submit.

6. Click OK.

7. Click OK again, and you will be returned to the My Institution page, where you can click on your course link.

Modify the Course Design to create buttons or change the color of the background

1. Once in your course, go to Control Panel

2. Under Course Options, Click on Course Design

3. Click on Course Menu Design

4. On this page, select the menu style and style properties, and Submit

Customize the Navigation Buttons - change the names and order according to your needs

1. Go to Control Panel

2. Under Course Options, Click on Manage Course Menu

3. On this page, you can Modify the properties of a menu item (such as changing the name)

4. Click OK when you are finished

Add a folder in a content area (could be Course Materials or another area)

1. Click into the content area – such as Course Materials

2. Click Edit View in the top right corner of the Blackboard page

3. Click the +Folder icon (looks like a folder, addition symbol, and “Folder”)

4. On this page, you can enter the name of the folder, text, make the folder available/ unavailable and choose date restrictions.

5. Click Submit when complete

Add content to the folder (copy/ paste or attach)

Here is where you can add an item or other Tool (such as an Assignment or External Link). To add an item:

1. Follow the above instructions (from adding a folder) to get to the Edit View

2. Click on the +Item icon (looks like a blank box, addition symbol, and “Item”)

3. On this page, you can enter the name of the item and type or paste in the content. You can also attach a file and choose date restrictions.

4. Click Submit when complete

Create a profile in Staff Information (or Faculty Information, if you've changed the name)

1. Go to Control Panel

2. Under Course Tools, Click on Staff Information

3. Click on the +Profile icon

4. On this page, you can enter your title, name, contact information, office hours, link, and image

5. Click Submit when complete

2. Click Edit View in the top right corner of the Blackboard page

3. Click on the +External Link icon (looks like a globe, addition symbol, and “External Link”)

4. You can then enter the name, URL, description, attach a file, and set it to open in a new window

5. Click Submit when complete

Add a Discussion Forum in the Discussion Board

1. Click into the Discussion Board by clicking on the button in the left navigation pane

2. Once in the Discussion Board, click on the Add Forum button at the top of the Blackboard page

3. The Add Forum page will allow you to enter a title, description, and select forum settings

4. Click Submit when complete

Add an announcement to appear in the Announcements page when students login

1. Go to Control Panel

2. Under Course Tools, Click on Announcements

3. Click on the Add Announcements button at the top of the Blackboard page

4. The Add Announcement page will allow you to enter a title, message, choose the option of making it permanent or place date restrictions

5. Click Submit when complete

Make the course “available” to users

When we create new courses, the default setting is that they are unavailable to students. This is so that you, the instructor, have complete control as to when students can access your course. Your course will remain unavailable (students cannot view your course) until you make your course available.

To make your course site available or unavailable:

1. Go to Control Panel
2. Under Course Options, Click on Settings
3. Select Course Availability
4. To make available, select Yes

Logout

Remember to Logout of Blackboard after each use. This will prevent others from being able to access your account. To Logout, click the icon at the top of the Blackboard page.