Managing the Course Menu

This guide will walk you through the process of managing the Course Menu in your Blackboard course. From the Manage Course page, you add and modify the content areas on the course web site. For example, you can choose to have areas for staff Information, specific Content Areas, and Course Links. On the Manage Course Menu page you can add an area and modify the name to suit the course. You have the option to include up to 10 different areas for each course.

Step 1: Click on the Control Panel link and click Manage Course Menu. There are 6 options in managing the course menu, they are: Adding a Content Area, Adding a Tool Area, Adding a Course Link, Adding an External Link, Modifying, and Removing.

Adding a Content Area:

Step 1: Click on the Add Content Area button. From the drop down box, you may choose the common content area names. If the particular one is not listed, you may type the desired name in the text box directly under the drop down box. The content area name should stay under 18 characters in length.

Step 2: You can modify who has access to it as well as availability for users.

Step 3: Click the Submit button to add the content area.

Step 4: You will receive a receipt page that notifies you of the addition of the content area. Click on the button to close the receipt page.

Adding a Tool Area:

Step 1: Click on the Add Tool Area button. From the Area Type drop down menu, select the type of tool that you would like to add to your Blackboard course. Then, from the Area Name text box, enter a name for the Tool. The name entered will appear on the Course menu. Select the check box to make this area available to users enrolled in the course.

Step 2: Click the Submit button to add the new tool.

Step 3: You will receive a receipt page that notifies you of the addition of the new tool. Click on the button to close the receipt page.

Adding a Course Link:

Step 1: Click on the Add Course Link button. Enter the area name in the text box directly to the right of area name. Then, click on the Browse button to select the location of the course link.

Step 2: Select the desired location of the course link by clicking on the circle to the left of the desired area. Then, click on the Submit button.

Step 3: Next, you can set access for the link. Also, make sure to click the check box to the right of Available for Student/Participant users to allow students to have access to the link.

Step 4: Click the Submit button to add the new course link.

Step 5: You will receive a receipt page that notifies you of the addition of the new link. Click on the button to close the receipt page.

Adding an External Link:

Step 1: Click on the Add External Link button . Enter the area name of the external link in the appropriate text box. Then, enter the external link address. Make sure to include the http:// at the beginning of the web address.

Step 2: It is recommended that you select the option to Launch in a new window so that students are able to keep their Blackboard course available and view the external link. Next, you can set access for the link. Also, make sure to click the check box to the right of Make available for Student/Participant users to allow students to have access to the link.

Step 3: Click the Submit button to add the new tool.

Step 4: You will receive a receipt page that notifies you of the addition of the new tool. Click on the button to close the receipt page.

Modifying a Content Area:

Step 1: If you would like to change the name of the area or to make the content area available or unavailable for students, enter the desired name in the appropriate text box and click the check box as desired.

Step 2: Next, it will list the tools that are held within the content area. You will be able to enable or disable the tools as desired by clicking on the appropriate circles.

Step 3: Click the Submit button to add the new tool.

Step 4: You will receive a receipt page that notifies you of the addition of the new tool. Click on the button to close the receipt page.

Removing a Content Area:

Step 1: You will receive a warning message to remind you that if you remove a content area, you will also remove everything that is contained in that content area. Click the OK button to continue.