Blackboard Learn: Linking Multiple Files at Once
Office of Distance Education & Educational Technology
College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University
April 2012
[ See more tips at http://www.hs.iastate.edu/tips/ ]
One of the frustrations course builders experience with BlackBoard is that links to files have to
be made one at a time when the “File” linking method is used.
A work-around is to attach files to an “Item” element. Though the Item element is often viewed
only as a method for adding a text block on the screen page, files can be linked (attached) to an
Item. This is more efficient for course building because if the files are first stored in the course
Content Collection storage folder, multiple files can be linked in one step to the Item.
Preparation:
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Have the files you want to use grouped together on your computer.
Enter the Blackboard course and make sure Edit = On.
Expand the Content Collection section of the Course Management menu by clicking on it.
The topmost item in the Content Collection list is the course’s file storage area. Click on it.
It is strongly recommended that you organize your file storage area by creating folders
within it. The storage structure should mirror the course layout – i.e., by week or topic.
o You can add folders and files to the storage area at any time.
o You can move files from one folder to another without disrupting existing links.
Navigate into the content folder that you wish to store your new files.
Click Upload > Upload Files. This creates a drop box space on the window.
Drag all the files you want to add from your computer to the drop box space. The file names
will be listed in the drop box.
o You may wish to enable file tracking statistic compilation by checking that option box.
Click the Submit button. A progress bar and checkmark indicates successful uploading.
Creating the Class Links:
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Go to the Course Menu (upper side menu) and navigate to the location where you want to
add the file links for student use. This will be a Content Area type page.
o You may need to add a new Content Area to your course menu using the plus sign, +,
above the Course Menu.
Select Build > Item
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Part 1: Enter a Name
for the item and if
desired, add text
instructions.
Part 2: Click Browse
Content Collection. A
popup window appears
displaying the Course
Content Collection.
Navigate to where the
files are stored and
checkmark all the ones
that should be attached
to the item.
Part 3: Make sure that
“Permit Users to View
this Content” = Yes.
Part 4: Click Submit.
Below is an example of what an item with attached files looks like to a student.