The Blackboard Content System:
A Quick Start Guide
© 2009 Instructional Support Center, Temple University
The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Table of Contents
Part 1-Overview of the Blackboard Content System
What is the Blackboard Content System?
Four Reasons to use the Blackboard Content System
3
3
3
Part 2-Accessing the Content System
5
Accessing the Content System through Blackboard
Accessing the Content System using WebDrive (Windows Users)
Accessing the Content System using WebDAV (Mac Users)
5
5
6
Part 3-The Content System Interface
8
The Content System Interface through Blackboard
The Content System Interface through your Computer
8
8
Part 4-Managing your Personal Content
Adding Folders to Personal Content
Adding Folders to Personal Content through Blackboard
Adding Folders to Personal Content through your Computer
Adding Items to Personal Content
Adding Items to Personal Content through Blackboard
Adding Items to Personal Content through your Computer
Accessing Folders and Items in Personal Content
Accessing Folders and Items in Personal Content through Blackboard
Accessing Folders and Items in Personal Content through your Computer
Organizing Personal Content
Moving Folders and Items in Personal Content
Moving Folders and Items in Personal Content through Blackboard
Moving Folders and Items in Personal Content through your Computer
Removing Files and Folders from Personal Content
Removing Files and Folders from Personal Content through Blackboard
Removing Files and Folders from Personal Content through your Computer
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
15
15
Part 5-Linking Folders and Items in the Content System to a
Blackboard Course or Organization
16
Part 6-More Information on the Content System
17
© 2009 Instructional Support Center, Temple University
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Part 1- Overview of the Blackboard Content System
The Blackboard Content System provides Temple University faculty, students, and staff
with virtual hard drive space. It also provides the tools for editing, sharing, collaborating
on, and controlling access to content saved in this space.
What is the Blackboard Content System?
The Blackboard Content System is a software application that enables you to store
manage and share your files more effectively.
It is integrated as a tab in the Blackboard Learning System interface. It can also be
made accessible as a drive on your computer, allowing for drag-and-drop management
of your files.
Four Reasons to use the Blackboard Content System
1. The Blackboard Content System is an online storage space that can be
accessed by any computer with an Internet connection. If your content is
saved on the Blackboard Content System you can access it from school,
home, or on vacation as long as you have Internet access.
Example: Use the Content System instead of a USB drive.
2. The Blackboard Content System allows you to upload multiple files
simultaneously using drag-and-drop management via WebDAV/WebDrive.
Example: Link one folder with all of your course documents from the
Content System to a Blackboard course eliminating the need to add each
item manually within the Blackboard Learning System.
3. Files stored in the Content System can be edited directly, so you don’t
have to download, edit, and re-upload files to Blackboard Learning
System.
Example: Keep a course’s syllabus in the Content System and edit it
directly via WebDAV/WebDrive as if it were a file on your computer or a
USB drive. When the file is modified each semester, it is automatically
updated in any Blackboard course that links to it.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
4. The Blackboard Content System allows you to link a single file to multiple
Blackboard courses. Once the link is created any modifications to that
document in the Content System will automatically update in the
Blackboard courses.
Example: Link the same assignment to multiple sections of a course. If
you need to make a change to the assignment later, it will be automatically
updated in each of the courses that link to it.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Part 2-Accessing the Content System
The Blackboard Content System can be accessed through the Blackboard Learning
System interface. Using a technology called WebDAV (Web-based Distributed
Authoring and Versioning), it can also be accessed as a virtual hard drive similar to
using a USB drive.
Accessing the Content System through Blackboard
You can access the Content System through the Bb Drive tab in the Blackboard
Learning System interface. This method allows you to manage learning content, files,
and ePortfolios in the Blackboard environment from any computer on the Internet.
1. Open a new window in your web browser and type blackboard.temple.edu in the
address box.
2. In the AccessNet Username box, type your assigned AccessNet username, in
the AccessNet Password box, type your assigned AccessNet password, and
then click the Login button.
3. Click the Bb Drive tab at the top of the page.
Accessing the Content System using WebDrive (Windows Users)
If you are a Windows user, you can also access the Content System through WebDrive,
which provides access to the Content System as a drive on your computer. WebDrive
is a free download at http://download.temple.edu. WebDrive must be installed and
configured on your personal computer. Please refer to the WebDav how-to for further
instructions.
Once WebDrive is installed on your computer, you can use the following steps to quickly
access and upload content to your Personal Content storage area. The drive will open
as any other folder or drive on your computer’s operating system. This method allows
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
you to edit folders and files directly and drag-and-drop them through your
computer.
1. After you set up WebDrive, use My Computer in Windows XP or
Computer in Windows Vista to access it.
2. To access your Blackboard Personal Content double-click on the WebDrive
icon under network drives.
Accessing the Content System using WebDAV (Mac Users)
If you use a Mac you can also access the Content System as a drive on your computer
through WebDAV. In the Finder use the “Connect to Server…” command under the GO
menu. Type the URL: http://blackboard.temple.edu/bbcswebdav/users/[Your Accessnet
Username] to connect to the Content System.
Once WebDAV is set up on your computer, you can use the following steps to quickly
access and upload content to your Personal Content storage area. The drive will open
as any other folder or drive on your computer’s operating system. This method allows
you to edit folders and files directly and drag-and-drop them through your
computer.
1. After you connect to your Personal Content through WebDav, to
access your files double-click on your hard drive.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
2. Click on the blackboard.temple.edu link under Shared and doubleclick on the icon for the drive you wish to access.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Part 3- The Content System Interface
The Content System organizes files and folders into separate areas for individual use
and for Blackboard courses and organizations. These areas can be accessed through
the Bb Drive tab in the Blackboard Learning System interface. They can also be made
accessible as a drive on your computer, allowing for drag-and-drop management of
your files.
The Content System Interface through Blackboard
When viewing the Content System within Blackboard each area is accessed through the
Content System menu. Selecting an area displays the hierarchy of folders and files
available to the user in that area.
1. The Content System Menu
The Content System Menu appears on the left side of your screen when you
access the Bb Drive tab in the Blackboard Learning System.
a. Personal Content: The Personal Content area is used to store folders
and files for each user. Opening the Bb Drive area will allow access to
personal files the user has added to the Blackboard Content System.
b. Shared Content: The Shared Content area is used to store folders and
files for Blackboard courses and organizations. Instructors and
Organization Leaders will see folders for the courses or organizations
they are teaching/leading when they access the Blackboard Content
System Shared Content. Instructors and Leaders must grant
permissions to Students and Participants before course or organization
folders will be available to them..
c. Portfolios: The Portfolios area is used to create and share online
portfolios.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
d. Tools: The Tools area has options to bookmark and search content.
2. The Content Frame
The Content Frame occupies most of the right hand side of the screen. It
displays content in the current view.
a. Action Bar: The Action Bar appears at the top of the Content Frame. It
includes buttons to perform actions specific to that page.
b. Location bar: The Location Bar shows the current folder that is open in
the Content Frame. The location bar appears beneath the Action Bar
and includes links for all the folders in the path to the current folder up to
the top-level folder.
c. Content List: The Content List displays the folders and items contained
in the current folder.
The Content System Interface through your Computer
Using a technology called WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and
Versioning), the Content System can be accessed through your computer as a virtual
hard drive similar to using a USB drive. Using this technology, simply drag-and-drop to
add items, copy multiple files at one time, and save updated files directly in this folder
the same way you would to a USB drive. Please refer to the Using Web Folders howto for further instructions.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Part 4-Managing your Personal Content
The Personal Content area is an online space where you can save, manage,
organize, and share personal folders and files (referred to as items).
Adding Folders to Personal Content
Folders can be added to your Personal Content in two ways: directly in the Blackboard
Learning System and through your computer’s operating system using WebDrive or
WebDAV.
Adding Folders to Personal Content through Blackboard
1. Log in to Blackboard and click the Bb Drive tab.
2. Click Personal Content to access your Personal Content folders.
3. Under the users folder select the folder with your username as its title.
4. Click the Add Folder icon on the Action Bar at the top of the screen.
5. Type in a folder name in the Folder Name field. Use default settings or select
additional options on this page as needed.
Note: You can add folders inside folders called subfolders. However, the system does
not allow subfolders within one common folder to have the same name. For example,
two folders named “Group Projects” may not be created in your Personal Content folder.
Adding Folders to Personal Content through your Computer
After WebDrive or WebDAV is set up on your computer, you can easily add a new
folder using the standard method for your operating system the same way you would
add a folder to any USB drive. For example: If you are using Windows XP you can
right mouse click in the Personal Content folder and select New Folder or go to the
File menu and select New and click Folder.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Adding Items to Personal Content
Items and files can be added to your Personal Content in two ways: directly in the
Blackboard Learning System and through your computer’s operating system using
WebDrive or WebDAV.
Adding Items to Personal Content through Blackboard
1. Log in to Blackboard and click the Bb Drive tab.
2. Click Personal Content to access your Personal Content folders.
3. Under the users folder select the folder with your username as its title.
4. Click the Add Item icon on the Action Bar at the top of the screen.
5. Under File Information, click Browse and search through the local hard drive on
your computer to locate and select the file you want to add.
6. When the file is selected its file path and name displays in the File field, as
shown below:
7. Click Submit.
8. The item is now saved in the Content System. You should see the file inside the
folder you added it to in the Content System.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Adding Items to Personal Content through your Computer
After WebDrive or WebDAV is set up on your computer, add an item or file using the
standard method for your operating system the same way you would add an item to
any USB drive. For example: If you are using Windows XP you can drag files into the
Personal Content folder or with the item open use Save As and choose your
Personal Content folder from My Network Places.
Accessing Folders and Items in Personal Content
Folders and items saved in your Personal Content area can be accessed in two ways:
directly in the Blackboard Learning System and through your computer’s operating
system using WebDrive or WebDAV.
Accessing Folders and Items in Personal Content through Blackboard
1. Log in to Blackboard and click the Bb Drive tab.
2. Click Personal Content to access your Personal Content folders.
3. Under the users folder select the folder with your username as its title.
4. To access a folder click once on the folder name. This will provide a new content
list displaying the subfolders and items saved within this folder.
5. To access an item click once on the item name. This will download the item to
your computer. You may also access items by clicking the Modify link to the
right of the item name. This will bring up a serious of options including Read
File.
Note: You may also access folders from the Personal Content System Menu on the
left-hand side of your screen. Click on the name of the folder and the folders contents
will be displayed in the Content Frame.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Accessing Folders and Items in Personal Content through your Computer
After WebDrive or WebDAV is set up on your computer, access folders or items in
your Personal Content by double-clicking this drive. Then simply drag-and-drop to
add items, copy multiple files at one time, and save updated files directly in this folder
just as you would to a USB drive.
Organizing Personal Content
File Management in the Blackboard Content System is essential. Before adding any
files to the Content System, it is important that you plan how you will organize and
manage your content. Files in the Content System are organized in a tree structure of
nested folders up to, and including, the content area level, or your Personal Content
folder.
The frameworks below are given as examples only. There are many ways to organize
your Content System space; design a framework that best meets your needs.
1. Faculty Sample Framework: Create one folder in your Personal Content
area in the Content System for Teaching and one folder for Research. Inside
the Teaching folder, create a sub-folder for each course you teach; inside the
Research folder, create a sub-folder for each research project in which you
are involved.
2. Student Sample Framework: Create a separate folder in your Personal
Content folder in the Content System for each course you're taking, whether it
is in Blackboard or not. Then, inside each course folder, create a folder for
assignments, projects, test preparation, and so forth. This gives you a holding
place in which to organize and store your course materials.
Moving Folders and Items in Personal Content
Folders and items saved in your Personal Content area can be moved around directly in
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
the Blackboard Learning System or through your computer’s operating system using
WebDrive or WebDAV.
Moving Folders and Items in Personal Content through Blackboard
1. Log in to Blackboard and click the Bb Drive tab.
2. Click Personal Content to access your Personal Content folders.
3. Check the box next to a file/folder to select it.
4. Click the Move button from the Action bar.
5. Under Destination click Browse.
6. In the Select Folder window check the Folder your wish to move the
file/folder into.
7. Click the Submit button to return to the Content System. The destination
folder will appear in the Destination box.
8. Click the Submit button to complete the task.
Moving Folders and Items in Personal Content through your Computer
After WebDrive or WebDAV is set up on your computer, simply move saved content
around using the standard method for your operating system the same way you would
move any items on a USB drive. For example: If you are using Windows XP,
drag-and-drop to move items or use a cut and paste method.
Removing Files and Folders from Personal Content
Folders and items saved in your Personal Content area can be removed directly in the
Blackboard Learning System or through your computer’s operating system using
WebDrive or WebDAV.
Removing Files and Folders from Personal Content through Blackboard
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1. Log in to Blackboard and click the Bb Drive tab.
2. Click Personal Content to access your Personal Content folders.
3. Check the box next to a file/folder to select it.
4. Click the Recycle button from the Action Bar.
5. A dialog box will appear stating, “These items will be moved to the
Recycle Bin. Continue?” Click OK to continue.
Removing Files and Folders from Personal Content through your Computer
After WebDrive or WebDAV is set up on your computer, simply remove saved content
using the standard method for your operating system the same way you would
remove any item from a USB drive. For example: If you are using Windows XP, drag
files or folders to the recycle bin or right-click on the item and select delete.
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Part 5-Linking Folders and Items in the Content System to a
Blackboard Course or Organization
Items and folders in the Content System can be linked to Blackboard courses and
organizations. Also, one item can be linked to multiple courses and organizations. If you
have linked items and a change is made to the item in the Content System, it will be
automatically be updated in all courses or organizations that link to the document.
1. Log in to Blackboard and click My Blackboard tab.
2. Under Courses You Are Teaching or Organizations You Are Leading click on
the title of the course or organization where you want to create a link to the
Content System.
3. Click on the Control Panel button in the left menu.
4. Click on the Content Area where you wish to create a link to the Content
System.
5. Click on the Add Item icon in the Action Bar at the top of the screen.
6. Under Section 1 name the folder or item link. Under Section 2 click the Browse
button to the right of “Link to Content Collection item.”
7. Click inside the circle (radio button) in front of the item or folder you want to add.
8. Click Submit.
9. Click Ok. The alert box is telling you that Blackboard is giving all students or
participants in your Blackboard course or organization permission to read this
file.
10. If needed, choose dates of availability by clicking on the check boxes and setting
the dates. If the check boxes are not selected, the file will be accessible as long
as the course or organization is available.
11. Click Submit.
© 2009 Instructional Support Center, Temple University
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The Blackboard Content System: A Quick Start Guide
Part 6- More Information on the Content System
1. Blackboard Content System Help Manual:
http://library.blackboard.com/ref/2634792d-03e4-4516-a7272d30180c191f/index.htm
2. Other ISC Content System How-to’s:
http://www.temple.edu/cs/isc/services/how-to/index.html
For further assistance, please call or visit one of Temple University’s Instructional Support Centers at the
following locations:
Main Campus
Health Sciences Campus
Ambler Campus
TECH Center
Room 111
215-204-0789 (1-0789)
215-204-8529 (1-8529)
Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm
Medical Research Building
Technology Resource Center
Suite 112
215-707-7702 (2-7702)
Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm
Ambler Learning Center
Room 111
267-468-8393
Hours: 8:30 – 5:00pm
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license grants you and your organization, please visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
© 2009 Instructional Support Center, Temple University
updated 8/26/2009
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