Adding a Learning Module

A Blackboard Learning Module is a set of content items with a structured path for progressing through the items. All types of content, such as items, assignment, and assessments may be included in a Learning Module. The path can be set so that students must view content in sequence or set to permit students to view the content in any order. Content within a Learning Module is added and managed just like content in a folder. Learning Modules can be edited like any other item within a Content Area.

Follow the steps below to create a Learning Module:

  1. Login to your course.
  2. Open a Course Content Area.
  3. Make sure you are in Edit Mode.

    Edit Mode
     
  4. Select the Build drop-down menu, then the Create Learning Module option.

    Create Learning Module command under the Build menu of a Content Area
     
  5. Complete the fields in the Create Learning Module page.

    Under Learning Module Information
     

    • Enter a name for your module. You may also choose a different color for the title text.
    • Use the Text Box Editor to enter a description and any instructions for using the Learning Module. This information is optional, but can assist users understand expectations and any associated goals and tasks. This will be shown directly underneath your Learning Module.

      Information section of Create Learning Module page

    Under Options
     

    • Click Yes to allow users to view the module. By selecting No, your Learning Module will be unavailable to the students.
    • Click Yes to make the path for viewing content in your Learning Module sequential. Students will be forced to progress through the content in the order that is set by the number next to each Content Item. This order can be changed by changing the Content Item number.
      If sequential viewing is not enforced, students can view the content in any order.
    • Click Yes to display the Learning Module in a new browser window.
    • Click Yes to enable tracking for the module.
    • Click both the Display After and Display Until or one of the checkboxes to enable the date and time settings. Use the Display After and Display Until date and time fields to determine the availability of the Learning Module.

      Options section of Create Leaerning Module page

      Please note: All options can be changed at any time.
       
  6. Click Submit. The image below illustrates the appearance of Learning Modules.

    Sample Learning Module

Adding Content to a Learning Module

After you have created a learning module, you will want to add content to it. To accomplish this task, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Content Area that contains the Learning Module.
  2. Make sure the Edit Mode is ON.
  3. Click the name of the Learning Module to open it.

    Open an empty Learning Module
     
  4. Click Create Item.

    Create Item menu within a Learning Module
     
  5. The Create Item page is used to add content to the Learning Module. The content can be directly added using the text box or it can be added as attachments, links to local and external resources, or a combination of these things. Use this method multiple times to add all the content necessary to the Learning Module.

    Create Item page displayed after clicking on the Create Item menu button within a Learning Module
     
  6. Once all the items are added to the Learning Module, set the sequence of the items by dragging and dropping them into place.

    dragging and dropping items into place within a Learning Module

     Items can also be sequenced using the Keyboard Accessible Reordering tool located in the Action Bar.

    Keyboard Accessible Reordering tool located in the Action Bar

     

Viewing Learning Modules

How the content is viewed, sequentially or non-sequentially is set in the Options section of the Create or Edit Learning Module page and can be changed at any time.
 

  1. To view the Learning Module from the students' perspective, turn off the Edit Mode by click on the OFF button in the upper-right corner of your screen. In the displayed window, use the Contents button to view the content of the module in any order or you might want to use the arrows to the right of the screen to view the content sequentially.

    Navigation options within a Learning Module from the students' perspective: Contents button and navigation arrows
     
  2. Both the Contents and the navigation arrows will be available to your students, but if sequential viewing is enforced, students will view the Learning Module in the order the items within it are listed and will not be able to advance to a page within the unit without having viewed the previous page. If sequential viewing is not enforced, items in the Learning Module may be viewed in any order from the Contents page. Note: the Contents page is always accessible, but if sequential viewing is enforced, students will see only the list of the items found in the Learning Module, but the items won't have an active link so that students can access them as well.

    The image below illustrates the appearance of links to all components of a Learning Module accessible via the Contents button if sequential viewing is NOT enforced.

    Links to all components of a Learning Module accessible via the Contents button if sequential viewing is NOT enforced