Step-By-Step
Adding a Course Link to a Content Area or Folder
(Text version)

1. By default, Blackboard contains 4 content areas called Course Information, Course Documents, Assignments and External Links. Content material posted to these 4 areas is accessed by clicking on any of the navigation buttons of the same name on the left side of the Blackboard course site. Instructors or TAs can rename these content areas (and thus the button names) as well as adding new content areas (and buttons) via the Control Panel / Manage Course Menu function.

The content areas can be further subdivided into folders. Instructors and TAs can create folders, create files, attach files, create course links, add external web links, post tests, post surveys, or add a Blackboard Learning Units or Blackboard Assignments to any content area.

To add a folder to a content area see: Blackboard Step-By-Step - Creating a Folder.

2. Course Links are links in one part of the course site to other parts of the course site. They provide a short-cut for moving throughout the site. You can add a Course Link to a content area or folder by:

• Log in to the Blackboard site as usual:
• Go to Control Panel. Under the heading "Content Areas" in the control panel, click on the content area you would like to add the course link. This will display the Root Level of the content area. Any content or folders that have been previously added to the area will be listed. If you want to place the course link in a folder, click on the folder name, This will display the Folder Level of the folder.
• Click on the "Add Course Link" button at the top of the page.This will display the Add Course Link form.
• Use the dropdown box or type in a name for the course link in the box marked "Or specify your own name".
• You can choose a color for the name by clicking on the color box and selecting a new color.
• You can add a description of the course link in the box marked "Description".
  
• Click on the "Browse" button under "Course Link". This will open a new course map window. Locate the folder or file you want the course link to point to. You may have to click on the plus (+) signs to extend the folders. Select the file you want the link to point to by selecting its radio button. Once selected, click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the course map window. The window will close and the path to that course item will be displayed in the box next to the Browse button.
  
• Under the sections marked "Options", decide if you want the item to be visible to students. Leaving the default "Yes" radio button will make the item visible to students. Selecting the "No" radio button will hide the item from students. You will always be able to see a hidden item in the control panel.
• If you want to track the number of students that view this file select the "Yes" radio button marked "Do you want to track number of views?".
• Leave the "Add Metadata" radio button set to "No". - This function does not work in this version of Blackboard.
• You can choose a certain date and time for the item to become visible to students and/or a date and time to make the item hidden from students. To make the item visible to students at some time in the future, checkmark the "Display After" checkbox and use the dropdown boxes to select a date and time for the item to become visible to students. If you want the folder to become hidden at some time in the future, checkmark the "Display Until" checkbox and use the dropdown boxes to select a date and time for the item to become hidden from students. You will always be able to see a hidden item in the control panel.
  
• Click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. A receipt will be displayed telling you that the item has been up updated. Click on the "OK" button to return to the Root level of the content area or the Folder Level of the folder. The link should now be displayed.
• It is always a good idea to go back to the course site and view any item you have added as a student would view that item (not in the control panel). To return to the course site click on the course site name in the "crumb trail" at the top of the page.

3. Students view this course link by clicking on the proper Content area button. The course link will be displayed. If you put the link in a folder, the student first clicks on the content area button and then the folder name. Clicking on the course link will display the part of the course site that the course link pointed to.

4. To remove a course link item completely:

• Go to Control Panel. Under the heading "Content Areas" in the control panel, click on the content area you displayed the link. This will display the Root Level of the content area. Any content or folders that have been previously added to the area will be listed. If you placed the link in a folder, click on the folder name, This will display the Folder Level of the folder.
• Click on the "Remove" button to the right of the item name. A warning will be displayed. Click "OK". The item is now removed completely.

5. Course links cannot be added using the built-in WYSIWYG editor.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this Step-By-Step procedure contact the Tufts Blackboard Administrator at: nhirsig@tufts.edu