Building out your module template

When you request a module, it will now contain a module template consisting of a Module Information folder, an Assessment and Feedback folder and weekly learning modules.

This guide helps you get started on building out these into a live teaching module.

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Instructions

Understanding the new Ultra interface

Structure and navigation have been simplified to enable students and staff to access their learning and assessment materials more efficiently on desktop and mobile devices.

There’s a Blackboard Ultra Interface support page that provides a guide to the new course tools and course areas. The new interface uses icons to quickly identify different content types:

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What’s in the template?

• Module Information folder which can be used to store general information about your module such as the module handbook.

• Assessment and Feedback folder with two coursework folders. Add your assignment dropboxes and tests to this folder.

• Weekly learning modules, these are used to store weekly learning content.

Editing Weekly learning modules

Learning modules are like folders, they are used to organise learning content such as text, pdfs, images, videos, etc. The difference between a learning module and a folder is that content is displayed sequentially and can be navigated using forward and back arrows.

Editing Learning module information

You can change the name of the learning module add a description, an image and you can set it to

force students to work through content in a sequence.

1. Click on the ellipsis and select Edit from the context menu

This opens up the Learning module context menu.

2. Click on the title to change the name, include the subject to aid student searches.

3. Add a description

4. Forced Sequence means student must follow through all the content in the order you have added it.
   
   

5. Click on Add image to add an image to the module. Remember to insert alternative text to describe the image.

Click Save.

Add new content to your learning modules

1. Open the Learning module using the drop-down arrow

2. Click on the plus

3. Select Create from the drop -down menu.

4. To add a page of content select Document from the right-hand menu.

5. To add your title to the page, click on the top left hand side where it says ‘New Document’ and start typing.

Next click on Add Content:

6. This will open up the Content editor, which is similar to the Blackboard Learn content editor. You can type directly into the editor or copy and paste text, using the toolbar to format and add headings.

You can also use the toolbar to add other types of content including images, tables, pdfs and videos. Use the plus symbol at the end of the toolbar to add other elements such as video.

Follow our guide on creating new learning content for more information on adding different content types.

Copying content into the Learning module folder

You can copy content across from a development area or previous course.

1. In your Ultra module, at the top of the course content area, click the ellipsis (three dots)

Select Copy Items from the menu

2. This will bring up the Copy Items dialogue box. Enter your module code in the Course name or ID search box.

3. Click on the course that contains the folder or document to be copied …

4. Then navigate to the folder you wish to copy e.g. Week 2 folder which is located in the Learning Content folder. So click on Learning Content …

then select the tick box beside the Week 2 folder and select Start Copy.

Follow our guide on how to copy content from another module for more detailed instructions.

Module information folder

The Module Information folder is for general module information such as the module handbook, module description, reading lists, library information, a module welcome message and contact details for staff.

Follow our Module Information folder guide to assemble general information about your course.

Assessment and Feedback folder.

This folder will generally contain a Coursework 1 and Coursework 2 folder where you can add the relevant supporting documentation and create your assignment dropboxes.

Follow our Blackboard Assignment guide to add a Blackboard dropbox or a Video assignment drop box.

Follow our Turnitin guide to add a Turnitin assignment dropbox.

Go to Assessment and feedback page for full range of assignments

Module checklist

Use our module checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the key elements when preparing your module for the start of semester.

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