Adding Content to Your New Course
You have a number of options for adding content to your new course shells. Remember, credit courses are automatically created from Datatel before the semester starts. The instructor on record will be listed as the instructor and their courses will appear in Blackboard.
The course shells only include an Announcements link in the course navigation.
Below are your options for adding content to your course shell:
Copy content from an existing course
How to Copy Course Content to New Course
The link above will guide you through the process of copying content from one course to another.
You must be enrolled in both the originating and destination courses to copy content from one to another.
NOTE: You can also copy individual content items at any time. It is preferable to copy an entire course since some items cannot be copied individually.
Use a CFCC Course Template (bare bones or full)
How to add New Course Content Template (pdf)
If you are not copying content to your new course shell from an existing course (or using a VLC course), you might select to use one of CFCC's templates, which will give you a good start on your course. You will then build out your content.
- CFCC Bare Bones Course Template:
Download CFCC Bare Bones Course Template (basic navigation and starter items)
This template includes the Enrollment Verification activity and some basic course navigation links.
Refer to "How to Add New Course Content Template" for instructions on importing the template to your course shell and to view items included in CFCC templates. - CFCC FULL Course Template:
Download CFCC FULL Course Template (includes lesson folders and more)
This template includes the items from the Bare Bones template, plus additional features (menu subheaders and lesson folders in the Lessons item.) This option offers the instructor a good lesson folder structure (16 by default) with a starter item in each where the instructor can add objectives, the lesson overview, readings, and activities to complete. This would be a good choice for anyone, but especially new instructors who are not yet very familiar with Blackboard or have never developed an online course.
Refer to "How to Add New Course Content Template" for instructions on importing the template to your course shell and to view items included in CFCC templates.
Import Course Package (from publisher or from another Bb course)
Please note that publishers might provide you with a course package (zip folder of files) or a key for a course cartridge. If you are provided with a key, refer to the next section on course cartridge. This section applies only to a course package.
If you are importing a package from publisher or an exported package from another Bb course, follow the steps below. The package should be in ZIP format (have a file extension of .zip). Do not "unzip" the package before import.
- Open Packages and Utilities in the Control Panel.
- Click Import Package / View Logs.
- Click the Import Package button.
- Click Browse and search for the package on your computer.
- Check the boxes for items you want to import (usually everything).
Note: You must include Grade Center Columns and Settings to import assessment items. - Click the Submit button.
- Wait for the confirmation email before working in the course.
Use a Course Cartridge from the Publisher
Your textbook publisher might have a course cartridge available for your textbook. This will generally include course content, assessments and other resources. You can remove or revise contents as you see fit.
Your publisher will be provided by a Key for your course cartridge. Below are the steps used to import the course cartridge:
- Open Packages and Utilities in the Control Panel.
- Click Import Course Cartridge.
- Insert the key provided by the publisher.
- Click Submit.
- Wait for the confirmation email before working in the course.
Note: Some textbooks have cartridge keys can be used multiple times while others must use a unique key for each section. This information is provided by the publisher.
Use A Virtual Learning Community (VLC) Course
The NC Community College System has developed many courses that are available to NCCCS instructors. These courses are built according to strict quality standards. View a list of VLC Courses. If you would like to use a VLC course, this will be imported to your empty course shell. Contact adminbb@cfcc.edu for assistance with this.
Build your course from scratch
You can also build out your course from scratch.
- Add navigation links (use plus sign above menu).
- Add course content.
- If you use this option, please refer to the Course Development page for information about creating quality course content.
