The Content Collection

The Blackboard Content Collection is a tool that allows academics and students to store, manage and share content. The Blackboard Content Collection:

• Is fully integrated with the Blackboard Learning System.

• Makes reusing files much easier - academics can save a file in the Content Collection once and link to that file in any learning program.

• Allows easy file management - when a file that resides in the Content Collection needs updating, academics can update it only once and there won't be any need to go into each learning program to upload an updated version of the file.

• Makes it easy for academics and students to share their files with the users both within Ulster University and outside.

• Provides an easy drag-and-drop interface - through the Web Folder feature - that makes copying and managing large number of files much easier.

• Functions as a virtual hard drive that is available from anywhere by logging in to Blackboard.

After logging into Blackboard Learn, select the Content Collection tab at the top of the Blackboard Learn application window.

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The Content Collection is also available from the Control Panel in any learning program.

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From the Content Collection in the Control Panel you have access to content in (Please refer to labels in the above image):

1. The current learning program.

2. Your personal area.

3. Learning programs of which you are a member.

4. Other organisations of which you are a member (Currently unavailable in the University of Ulster Blackboard Learn install).

5. Institution content folders i.e. University of Ulster (Currently unavailable in the University of Ulster Blackboard Learn install).

The following is an overview of the Content Collection’s layout and functionality.

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The Content Collection's menus are located in the left hand sidebar and includes the Content Collection, Jump To, and Search Contents menus.

The content frame occupies most of the screen and displays the current view. The size of the content frame can be increased or decreased by clicking and dragging the border that separates the two panels. The content frame includes the Breadcrumb Trail, Action Bar, and Content Frame. The main content frame displays the area of the content collection you are working in, for example: viewing Content Collection folders or items. When displaying the contents of the folder, users can sort the folders and items by clicking the column titles.

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The Content Collection organizes files and folders into separate areas for users, Courses, and the Institution itself. Each area is accessed through the Content Collection menu. Selecting an area displays the hierarchy of folders and files available to the user in that area. There are three default content areas: My Content, Course Content, and Institution Content.

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The Tools > Personal Settings page allows you to select an entry point into the Content Collection that best meets your needs. If you access the same Course in the Content Collection every time you open the tab, set the Home Page to point to that Course folder in the Content Collection for quick access.

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The Tools > Go to Location page allows users to go directly to a specific folder in the Content Collection. This timesaver allows you to enter the path to open a folder and Bookmark the location at the same time.

The Content Collection menu can be viewed two different ways. These views are represented by icons at the top of the panel – highlighted in red in the image below. The shortcut view appears initially by default.

The shortcut view includes buttons to open each content area and bookmarks.

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The folder view shows each content area with a nested folder structure with the ability to expand or close each folder to view the subfolders.

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The system will save and return you to your view preferemce each time you enter the Content Collection. You may drag the right-side of the frame to adjust the size of Content Collection menu.

The Jump To menu provides access to Portfolios, Collaboration tools and other Content Collection tools. Each sub menu is collapsible so that you can hide/show only what you need to see. Clicking a Jump To menu item will open the tool in the content frame of your application.

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The Search Content menu contains Content Collection search tools.

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The Breadcrumb trail appears at the top of the Content Frame. It is a hierarchical trail that shows where in the Content Collection the user is located and how they got there. Select each item in the trail to proceed to that folder. Breadcrumb drop-down buttons act as hierarchy folder separators. Click the Breadcrumb drop-down button to view a list of options for that folder.

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The Action Bar appears below the Breadcrumb Trail. It includes buttons to perform actions specific to that page. Different options will be available based on your system settings or privileges.

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The following explains folders and items in relation to the Content Collection.

A folder stores both items and other folders. It is important to remember that all folders are contained within other folders up to the top-level (Institution) folder. Learning program content areas are folders stored under the top-level (Institution) folder.