Provide a structure that will make it easier for students to navigate the course content.
Provide consistency to reduce questions with accessing readings, files, lectures, etc.
Avoid excessive scrolling as well as excessive clicking.

A .zip file is available as a Blackboard course structure template that you can use as scaffolding to create an 8 or 15-week course. There are 4 options depending on the course model you'll be teaching.

Hybrid Course Model
Face 2 Face (F2F) Course Model
Online Course Model

Each template allows you to develop your course by adding content, creating activities, and assessments within the course structure well in advance for upcoming courses.

To use the template of choice, you will need to import the template into an existing empty course shell by downloading and importing either of the provided .zip files under Attached Files at the bottom of this article. Once the template has been downloaded, follow the steps under the How to Import the Course Template guide.

This article contains the following contents and descriptions:

How to Import the Course Template
Course Announcements
Course Syllabus and Policies
Course Materials & Assessments
Course Discussion Board
Course Video Lectures/Presentations
Course Grades
Faculty and Student Resources

How to Import the Course Template:

From the (A) Course Management Panel > (B) Click on Control Panel > (C) Click on Packages and Utilities > (D) Click on Import Package/View Logs > (E) Click on Import Package

On the Import Package page, click on the (A) Browse My Computer button to access the course package/zip file on your computer, from the Select Course Materials section, (B) click the Select All button, and then (C) click the Submit button.
- NOTE: Faculty can ignore the node section.
- FYI: If you're a Mac user, it's recommended to use Chrome or Firefox as a browser when importing the .zip file. If you use Safari, the .zip file's content will be extracted, which is not what you want.

Course Announcements

The course Announcements tool/content area allows faculty to post valuable information to students within the course while also automatically sending an email of the announcement to students.

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Course Syllabus and Policies

The Course Syllabus and Policies content area provides students quick access to the syllabus and course policies.

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Course Materials & Assessments

The Course Materials & Assessments content area allows you to add readings, lectures, video & audio content, and assessments.

Below is a screenshot of the Sample 1 Unit - Content Folder Outline.

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Course Discussion Board

The discussion board allows students the opportunity to communicate with each other about course topics and/or any general questions regarding the course. It also provides the opportunity for students to communicate asynchronously with the instructor. It's also an opportunity for students to get to know each other and share ideas which build a sense of community.

Course Video Lectures/Presentations

The Panopto tool can be included in this area to provide students with a course introduction video and video lectures.

Panopto provides a list of "How to" video library guides via the following link, https://howtovideos.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Folders/DepartmentHome.aspx?folderID=4b9de7ae-0080-4158-8496-a9ba01692c2e.
- Other Panopto resources can be found in the Work at Home and Online Instruction Toolbox for Faculty and Staff under the Panopto section: https://easternct.makekb.com/entry/534/

Course Grades

The Course Grades content area provides students their grades and any feedback provided by the instructor. You may need to click on the Student View icon to access the grades layout (see image below).

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Faculty and Student Resources

The course template provides 3 external resource links for students and faculty. Note, the Blackboard Faculty resource link is purposely hidden from student view.