File Manager

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Overview
Option 1: Upload Files with File Manager
- Upload Files
- Upload Files & Folders
Option 2: Drag & Drop Files into the File Manager
- Windows XP & Internet Explorer (Web Folders)
- Windows XP (WebDAV)
- Windows Vista (WebDAV)
- Macintosh (WebDAV)
- Dreamweaver (Windows & Macintosh)

Overview One of the functions of the File Manager is to hold the documents you will be distributing to your students. The following tutorial shows several methods for uploading files from your computer into your Blackboard course for use in the various tools. You may upload files using the built tools of Blackboard or you may use WebDAV to remotely connect to your course on the desktop of your PC. Option 1: Upload with File Manager Using the File Manager to upload files is the preferred method for most individuals using Blackboard. Its only requirement is a browser. Although it does not provide a "drag and drop" interface for file upload and management, it has the advantage of not requiring the additional setup and overhead that the WebDAV methods listed below require. If you have a lot of folders and files to upload and you wish to use this method, be sure to create a Zip folder of your files prior to upload which allows you to upload just a single file (i.e. the Zipped folder). Once the Zip folder is uploaded into Blackboard, unzip it to place all of your files into Blackboard's File Manager. Option 2: Drag & Drop Files into the File Manager This method is the preferred file upload method for individuals wishing to have a "drag and drop" interface for file upload and management. It does require additional setup and may need to be refreshed from time to time due to connection instability. But if you have a lot of files to upload and work with, you may prefer this method. See the tutorial specific to your Operating System, and application preference: *Windows XP with Internet Explorer (Web Folders)* Use this method if you are using Windows XP and Internet Explorer (IE). It is the easiest way to connect to your Blackboard course, but is only available in IE under the XP operating system. *Windows XP (WebDAV)* Use this method if you're a non-Internet Explorer users on Microsoft Windows XP computers. *Windows Vista (WebDAV)* Use this method if your computer has the Microsoft Vista operating system. *Macintosh (WebDAV)* Use this method if your computer has the Apple Macintosh OS X operating system. *Dreamweaver (Win & Mac)* Use this method if you use Dreamweaver regularly. 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 Content Delivery Recommendations. WARNING: Avoid using special characters ( @ # % & ; ) in filenames and titles. If you have questions about Web Folders, WebDAV, or Zip files, please contact the CTI at (208) 885-2121 or cti@uidaho.edu.

Upload Files	TOP
The Blackboard File Manager allows you to easily upload files into your course so that you may link to them for your students. Below are instructions on how to upload these files. Login to your Blackboard Course Under the Build Tab, click on File Manager Click Get Files Select My Computer, and click Browse Navigate to the file you wish to upload, and click Open Avoid using special characters in filenames ( @ # % & ; ) Continue to Browse for any additional files you want to upload Once you have selected all the documents you wish to upload, click OK 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.

Upload Files & Folders	TOP
If you need to upload many files and/or folders to Blackboard, you may create a Zip folder containing all of your files and upload that single zip file to the File Manager. Note: You need to unzip the file once it has been uploaded by following the Unzip File/Folder instructions. 1. Create Zip Folder Navigate from My Computer to the files you would like to Zip up. Select Edit, then Select All. Right-Click your mouse on the selected files and/or folders. From the drop down menu, select Send To Select Compressed (zipped) Folder A folder with a .zip extension has been created. 2. Upload Zip Folder Select My Computer, and click Browse Navigate to the file you wish to upload, and click Open Avoid using special characters in filenames ( @ # % & ; ) Continue to Browse for any additional files you want to upload Once you have selected all the documents you wish to upload, click OK 3. Unzip Files & Folders Once your zip file has been uploaded to Blackboard, you need to unzip it—also known as extract. This allows you to access all the files and/or folders contained in the zip file. Under the Build Tab, click on File Manager Click on the ActionLinks icon next to the Zip and select Extract You will see a that a folder has been generated containing your zipped content. 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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