Summary
A learning module (previously known as a Learning Unit) is created the same way as a folder, and may be filled with content such as text, images, or documents. However, it differs from a folder because it displays the information sequentially, much like a slideshow. A learning module can even be set to open in a new browser window.
As well as displaying images and text, you can also place quizzes and surveys in learning modules. This means that your students can work through a set of information and then take a quiz or fill out a survey at the end of it, without having to jump around to a different folder or section of Blackboard.
Resources
- Creating Course Areas for Content (help.blackboard.com)
- Building a Learning Module (video)
Creating a Learning Module
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- To create a Learning Module, go to the content area that you want to put the learning unit in – Course Documents, for example. Click the Build Content button and choose “Learning Module”
- You’ll be asked for a name and description – exactly the same as if you were creating a folder.
- You’ll also notice that you can set a ‘start’ and/or ‘end’ date – if you choose this option, your students can only see the learning module between the dates you select (or any time before/after a certain date). If you want to make the Learning Module visible to students based on criteria (such as grades, group membership etc), use the Adaptive Release function after creating it.
- You’ll also be asked if you want to “enforce sequential learning”. If you click yes, then the student must work through the learning module in the order that you specify. If you click no, then they have the option of viewing a Contents page and ‘jumping around’ inside the Learning Module in any order they like.
- When you’ve finished setting options, click ‘Submit’ at the bottom of the page. You’ll see a message confirming that you’ve created a learning module. When you go back to ‘Course Documents’ (or wherever you’ve put it) you’ll see the Learning Module that you’ve created. Its title will be underlined, like a folder. Click on the title to ‘enter’ the Learning Module, and you’re ready to add some content.
Adding Items, URL’s, Tests, Surveys and Assignments
- You can add most of the usual Blackboard content types to a Learning Module – Items, URL’s, Tests, Surveys, and Assignments . Once you are inside the learning module, add these content types exactly the same way that you usually would.
Add a “File” to your Learning Module
- This is a function that was introduced to streamline the process of adding files which don’t need any accompanying text. It’s particularly useful for when you want to display images by themselves.
- Click the ‘Build Content’ button and select File from the drop down menu. Specify a name (Note: this is different from the actual file name that you will be attaching), then click on the ‘Browse My Computer’ button to locate the file. Click ‘submit’ when you’re done, and you’ll get a message to confirm that it was added correctly.
Check the Order
When you’ve finished adding all the items/files/quizzes into your Learning Module, it’s time to check that the contents are in the correct order. You should still be ‘inside’ the Learning Module and be able to see a list of the contents. If you can’t, go back to the area that you put the Learning Module in (like Course Documents), then click on the name of the Learning Module to view a list of the contents.You’ll notice that each ‘Item’ or ‘file’ in the Learning Module has a double-ended arrow beside the name. This arrow allows you to drag and drop the items to change the order each item is displayed to students. Check that you’re happy by turning edit mode off, and working your way through it to make sure that contents and their order is correct.
