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Linking Files to a Blackboard Course

One of the advantages of the Blackboard Content Collection is the fact that files can be reused many times without the need for duplication. This can significantly save space if the same file is to be used in several sections of the course faculty may be teaching.

The file will only have to be saved in one place in the Content Collection and then faculty can link to that file from as many courses they need. Here are the steps to follow to link to a file that resides in the Content Collection from a Blackboard Course.

  1. Log in to Blackboard and access the course where you would like to link the file.
  2. Select a content area where you will be linking the file, for example, Course Documents.
  3. In the Edit View, click to add an Item.

    (If you are not sure about how to go through steps 1-3, please refer to a helpsheet on how to add course materials, which can be accessed here.)

    Add Item

  4. In the Add Item window, give the item a name and enter any description for the file if you would like.

    Enter File Name

  5. Under 2 Content, click on Browse next to Link to Content Collection Item.

    Browse for a File in the Content Collection

  6. In the new window that will open, select the file you would like to link by clicking on the radio button next to it. Then click Submit.

    Select the File

  7. You will get a warning "Making this selection will give explicit Read permission for this item to: members of this course or organization." Click OK to proceed. By clicking OK you have granted read permissions to the file in the Content Collection to all the students in the course. You don't need to go and manually modify permissions for that file; creating a link to it in a Blackboard course grants read permissions to all users of that course.

    Grant Read Permissions

  8. Click Submit.

    Submit

  9. You have now added the link to a file in the Content Collection.

    The link to the file has been added.

NOTE: Once you have created a link to a file in the Content Collection from your Blackboard course, you can no longer rename that file in the Content Collection. If you do that, the link will be broken and your students will not be able to access the file. If this happens, you need to recreate the link. Keep track of the files that you link to by putting these files in the Shared folder in the Content Collection. This way you will remember which file names should not be modified.

Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions FAQ


Find more answers...
Are you looking for more information related to posting course content in Blackboard? Review the answers to frequently asked questions regarding course content in Blackboard. Also, consider attending one of the upcoming Blackboard workshops.

Last Updated: 12/16/2007