File Manager - Dreamweaver (Windows & Macintosh)

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Overview

You may connect to Blackboard via Dreamweaver to upload your web content into the File Manager using a WebDAV connection. The tutorial below describes how to setup your computer to allow Dreamweaver to connect to Blackboard.

File Recommendation

Our recommendation is to use either HTML or PDF formatted documents to deliver your materials to your students. HTML files are native to the web, and many applications can save out as a Web Page/HTML option. PDF files are less confusing than documents in their original format such as Word or Excel for students to view and/or download from your site. These file types will reduce the time required in supporting your students with download issues. A PDF Creation Tutorial is available for installing the free Microsoft Office 2007 PDF plug-in. This tutorial also references other free and pay-for PDF solutions. For more information on this, please review the File Delivery Recommendations.

If you have questions about Web Folders, WebDAV, or Zip files, please contact the CTI at (208) 885-2121 or cti@uidaho.edu.

WARNING: Avoid using special characters ( @ # % & ; ) in filenames and titles

KNOWN ISSUE: There is a fix for a WebDAV error on Dreamweaver CS3
 

Upload files with Dreamweaver (Win & Mac)

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Dreamweaver allows you to visually edit the Web content for your course. You will connect Dreamweaver to the Blackboard server using a WebDAV connection.

Troubleshooting Tip: If you experience problems uploading or downloading files using this method, try deleting your connection and then rebuilding it. If you continue to experience problems, try one of the other methods of managing files listed on this Web page.

  • Login to your Blackboard Course
  • Under the Build Tab, click on File Manager
  • Click on the ActionLinks ActionLinks icon icon next to File Manager at the top center of your screen
  • Select View WebDAV Info

  • Press Ctrl-C to copy the WebDAV URL address displayed
    (Example: https://www.blackboard.uidaho.edu/webct/webdav/11111111/0000000001)
  • Click OK to close the window.

  • Open Dreamweaver
  • Select the Site menu
  • Choose New Site

  • Switch to the Advanced tab
  • Under Local Info, create a Site Name
  • Press the folder icon Folder next to Local Root Folder to specify where you will store your course files locally.

  • Select Remote Info
  • Set Access to WebDav
  • Put your cursor in the URL field
  • Press Ctrl-V to paste the WebDAV URL address
  • Enter your Blackboard Username and Password
  • Press the Test button.
  • You should see a Success box. If you don't, double check your settings.

 

  • You may edit your web pages as you normally would in Dreamweaver. If you need additional assistance with Dreamweaver, check out the Adobe Dreamweaver Support site.
  • When you're ready to upload your files to your Blackboard course select your files under Local Files.
  • Press the blue Put Files Put up-arrow button to upload your files to Blackboard.

  • You may log into your Blackboard course and visit the File Manager to see your uploaded files.
  • See the Learning Module or Course Content tutorial for further instruction on linking to your documents.
     

How to Link to your Files

Once files are uploaded into the File Manager, there are two primary ways to link to them for distribution to your students:

  • Use a Course Content Folder as a container to display hyperlinks to uploaded files and Blackboard tools.
  • Use a Learning Module as the container for links to uploaded files and Blackboard tools. The Learning Modules advantage is that student activity for these pages can be tracked.

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Still have a Question? Click Help in the top right corner of your Blackboard course.