Learning Modules vs Content Folders
In Blackboard ULTRA, Learning Modules and Folders are the two types of containers you can use to organize course content. Although similar, there are key differences for the student experience. Review the following descriptions to decide which is best for your content.
Learning Modules
- Learning modules are intended for a logically structured collection of course content – similar to a chapter in a textbook.
- Instructors and students experience modules differently. For students, learning module content is presented sequentially, with navigation arrows that students use to move through the content horizontally. (Instructors can only see this in Student Preview.)
- Learning modules can help immerse the student in the concept you are teaching because students are able to navigate from one content item to the next without distractions or extra clicks.
- You can add one level of Folders to a Learning Module, meaning each folder can only contain content items, but not additional folders.
- Folders help you visually organize your material in the Course Content area. However, when viewing a Learning Module, students experience the content seamlessly and do not see folders as they navigate horizontally.
Content Folders
- Students and instructors see content the same way: vertically.
- To interact with content, students open and close each item.
- You can’t add a Learning Module to a Content Folder.
- If your content comprises multiple files for download, a content folder may be the best option.
To create a Learning Module:
- In the Course Content area, hover your mouse where you want to add a learning module and select the plus sign > Create.
- In the Create Item panel, select Learning module.
- Name your Learning Module.
- By default, new Learning Modules are hidden from students. You can change the visibility of the learning module to “Visible to students”, “Hidden from students”, or set “Release conditions”.
- Optionally, you can add a description.
- Optionally, you can enable Forced sequence. This will ensure that students view the contents within the Learning module in sequential order.
- Select Save after you had made your desired changes.
To add content to a Learning Module:
- Expand the Learning Module and within the module frame, select the plus sign.
- To create new content, select Create and from the Create Item panel, choose what you want to create.
- To reuse content that already exists, select the appropriate option depending on the location of the content.