Due to a significant change in how Blackboard copies
contents across courses made by Blackboard in 2013, faculty who use HTML, Adobe
Presenter, Flashpaper, and similar file types that call to other associated
files in order to function are reporting numerous content failures within their
courses as they provision for new semesters. Specifically, Blackboard’s changes
to the copy function intentionally abandon any items within the course files
area that are not directly deployed/linked within the course itself. Although
an HTML index file may appear to copy over, when students click on the link,
the associated files to which that index file “call” may be missing, rendering
the content inaccessible.
Since the start of UHCL’s transition from WebCT to
Blackboard our mandatory training has included instruction on how to use
Blackboard’s native features to add content and avoid the use of technologies
that require associated files. With that said, we are offering any
faculty who are using HTML, Adobe Presenter, Flashpaper (and similar types of
files that call to other associated files in order to function) an opportunity
to address this issue.
Option 1
Please contact the Support Center and ask to create a ticket
to “replace your HTML files” or “Adobe Presenter files” or “Flashpaper
files”. We will do what we can to assist with this fix.
Option 2
If faculty choose to use the non-supported files then they
will need to use the following partial workaround recommended by Blackboard or
accept responsibility for any issues related to missing content.
- Instructors should, at the end of each semester, download a backup of the files area in their Blackboard course.
- Once they have provisioned the course and are preparing to teach it again, upload the backup file into the files area of the new semester offering.
- Use the Student Preview feature in your new semester offering and test/repair links that are broken, reconnecting them to their uploaded/replaced files from the course files area.
We want to help faculty in making sure we minimize this
issue before it impacts that students. If you have any questions
regarding this information, please contact Ed Puckett (X2983) or Jenni
Willis-Opalenik (X2981).
