Organizing Content in Blackboard Ultra
Courses are populated into Blackboard with a template including a Additional Tools and Resources for popular tech tools and a Course Introduction folder which includes an accessible syllabus template and steps to incorporate features such as a video introduction into your course. You can reorder, hide, delete, or add new items to the course content to customize your student's experience within your course.
Wherever you want to add content to your course, choose the add content button and select the tool you wish to add.
By default, all new content is unavailable to students. If you would like to set a date restriction on the folder or learning module (e.g. Week 2 won’t open until the second week of classes, but you have already prepared the content), you can set a date range. All content within the folder or learning module must also be individually made available to students even if the parent folder or module is available.
Folders
Folders and Learning Modules are both great options for organizing your course content. In fact, when copying content from an Original Course to an Ultra Course, content pages are converted into folders.
You can create two levels of folders to organize your content. Students won't get lost looking for materials, and your content is easier to manage. Also, students can navigate easier on smaller screens when they don't have to search for materials. After you already have two levels of folders, you can't create a third level or upload a folder into the second-level folder.
If you don't add a title, New Folder and the date appear in the content list. If you add no content, an empty folder with the placeholder title appears on the Course Content page.
-Blackboard Support
Example: Create a folder for Homework, another folder for Exams, and another folder for PowerPoints.
Learn More: Folders
Learning Modules
Blackboard Ultra Learning Modules are similar to folders, but offer students another option for navigating between content within the module rather than closing out of the content item to return the main content area first.
Modules let students navigate from one content item to the next without distractions or extra clicks. A learning module helps immerse students in the lesson or concept you're teaching. If you use a textbook or other materials as the basis for your course curriculum, modules are an effective and logical way to group content to match the pace of these materials.
Example: Create a learning module for Unit 1 and include a document with objectives, any additional course content, and any assessments within this learning module.
Learn More: Learning Modules
AI Design Assistant and Learning Modules
If you’re looking to re-organize your content or inspiration as you design a new course, Blackboard's AI Design Assistant may be able to help! From the Add Content menu, choose Auto-Generate Modules.
Start from Scratch
If you’re designing a new course, enter your course description or module learning goals into the description field to generate up to 20 modules (with or without pictures). The Design Assistant will analyze these inputs and suggest learning modules based on relevant topics and concepts. These suggestions act as a starting point for building your course structure.
Auto-Generate Based on Existing Content
If you already have content in your course, Design Assistant will analyze your entire course outline and automatically generate learning modules, complete with titles and subtopics. You do not need to enter anything into the description text box when you open the Auto-Generate Modules tool. These module suggestions can help you break down large chunks of text into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes your content easier for students to read and digest.
Related articles
Contact the ITS Help Desk in the Library Room 230 or at (203) 254-4069 for assistance.