Instructors may create their course website by uploading various
types of content into any Content Area. The availability of Content
Areas, and the creation of new Content Areas is set in Control
Panel, by selecting Course Options > Manage
Course Menu. The
chart below summarizes the differences between content types
and the Adding Content tip sheet provides more information on
process of uploading content.
| Type |
Summary |
| Folder |
Folders are used to organize and structure your course content.
Content is placed within folders. Note: files can not be attached
to folders. |
| Item |
Items are pieces of course content. The course material,
or a description of the material, can be typed directly into
a text box to appear on the Web page, and additional files
may be attached. Note: Blackboard accepts many types of files
(see the Media Types tip sheet). |
| URL |
URLs are links to external web sites. Some course content
may sit on other Web pages, adding a URL enables learners to
link out from the course web site to other web pages. |
| Course Link |
Course links are used to connect different elements of a
course site. For example, course links from a syllabus may
link out to where readings, assignments, and tests reside within
the course website. |
| Test |
Tests are graded assessments created by instructors and completed
by learners within the course environment. Different question
types can be used. All items on a test, except essay questions,
are graded and scores are entered automatically into the gradebook. |
| Survey |
Surveys are used to poll learners and obtain feedback. Like
tests, different question types can be used, but unlike tests
items are not graded. Instructors are unable to view individual
learner’s responses. Instead survey results are viewed
in the aggregate. |
| Assignment |
Assignments are a special type of content that have point
values assigned and allow for learner submissions. |
| Learning Unit |
Learning Units are collections of course content items (i.e.,
documents, presentations, URLs, tests, surveys, assignments)
that are designed to be accessed by learners either sequentially
or non-linearly. |
| LRN Package |
Microsoft LRN packages are hierarchical presentations of
course content that have sequential navigation. For more information
about the Microsoft LRN toolkit, see http://www.microsoft.com/elearn/resources.asp. |