Uploading local or cloud files
In Blackboard you can upload existing files e.g. Powerpoint, PDF, Word, Excel either as a separate file in a folder or learning module in the Course content area or into a Blackboard document.
These files can be uploaded from local drives e.g. your desktop or cloud storage such as One Drive or GoogleDocs etc.
Uploading files directly into Course Content
There is a 200MB file limit on uploaded files to Blackboard. Use Panopto to host larger video files, if you have issues uploading your files check your file size and follow tips for recording your video.
Within the Course Content window, hover your mouse where you wish to add the file and select the (purple) + icon.
This brings up the add content context menu, select either Upload (local files) or Cloud Storage (e.g. GoogleDrive or OneDrive files).
Either option will bring up additional windows that allow you to navigate to the file you want to upload/ import. If you selected Cloud storage you will have to login to your account, this then takes to that cloud account where you chose the file to import into Blackboard.
Select the file or files–you can bulk upload–then edit the File Options.
Check that the file name is meaningful for students and chose whether they can view and download (recommended) or view or download only. Then click Save.
Your file will be added to the Course content area, but will be hidden from students by default. When made visible the file will appear on as a separate item.
When students click on the file name it will open in a new window, where they are able to read or download (if included in File Options) the file.
Upload files within a document
As we discussed earlier, Documents are made of blocks of content. When you are creating or editing a Document you can upload a file as a separate block.
When adding a block, you have the option of uploading a local file (File upload) or a file stored in the cloud (Cloud upload).
Files uploaded inside a document display in-line with other content. This is a useful when the uploaded file needs contextualised.
The file will appear collapsed but can be expanded using the arrow to the right hand side of the document title.
Find out more about Adding Documents and adding files at Blackboard support website.
Related articles
Centre for Digital Learning Enhancement
ulster.ac.uk/learningengancement/cdle
