The Export Course feature creates a package of the course materials that can later be imported into Blackboard Learning System and used to teach another course with the same content. It is important to note that, unlike the Archive Course feature, Export Course does not include any user interactions with the course—it only includes the content and settings of the course (except for Course Cartridges that are copy protected). Therefore, Export Course is useful when course materials will be reused at a later time to teach a new set of Students. Archive Course is useful to maintain a record of a course after it has been taught.
Export packages are downloaded as compressed .ZIP files with the file name: ExportFile_Course_ID.ZIP. and can be Imported into the Blackboard Learning System in the same format. Do not unzip an Export package, remove files from the package, or try to Import selected files contained within the package. Any modifications to the .ZIP file will result in unstable and unpredictable behavior when the course is Imported.
Export packages from older versions of Blackboard Learning System can be imported into Blackboard Learning System (Release 6.1), but Blackboard Learning System (Release 6.1) export files are not backward compatible with previous versions of Blackboard Learning System.
Click Export Course from the Courses section of the System Control Panel.
The table below details the entry fields on the Export Course page.
|
Field |
Description |
|
Select a Course |
|
|
Source Course ID: |
Enter the Course ID of the course that will be exported. |
|
Select Course Materials |
|
|
Select Course Materials: |
Select the option for each content area and tool in the course that should be exported. The Select course materials section below details these options. |
The table below details what happens to each selectable option when the export is performed.
|
Course Material |
Behavior when copied |
|
Content |
Exports course materials, including uploaded files, Learning Units, and links. Users may also select to include Course Information, Course documents, Assignments and External Links. |
|
Announcements |
All Announcements are exported. If Assessment links appear in Content Areas, then this option must be selected, or the link to the Assessment will be broken. |
|
Calendar |
All Calendar items are exported to the new course. |
|
Course Settings |
Some Course Settings will be exported. See Course Setting below for more information. |
|
Discussion Board |
Discussion Board forums, including the initial message in the Discussion Board, are exported. |
|
Glossary |
Terms and definitions found in the Course Glossary will be included in the Export package. |
|
Gradebook Items and Settings |
Items in the Gradebook, and their settings, such as type, categories, and display options, are exported. |
|
Group Settings |
Groups and their properties will be exported. However, user memberships in groups will not be exported. |
|
Staff Information |
All Staff Information is exported. |
|
Tests, Surveys, and Pools |
All Assessments and Surveys, including questions and options for deploying them are imported. All Pools are exported to the new course. |
When Course Settings is selected, certain settings are exported. These include the following:
· Course Name
· Course Description
· Course Entry Point
· Course Design
· Course Banner
· Blackboard Tools
· System Extension Tools
· Content Tools
The following settings are not exported as part of this operation:
· Course ID
· Course Availability
· Guest Access
· Observer Access
· Course Duration
· Enrollment Options
The Blackboard packaging format follows the IMS Content Packaging Specification with extensions to support content types specific to Blackboard Learning System. Blackboard Learning System, Release 6.1 uses:
· IMS Content and Packaging Specification 1.1.2
· IMS Metadata Specification 1.2.1
· IMS Enterprise Specification 1.01
· IMS Question and Test Interoperability Specification 1.2
A receipt page will appear after entering a Course ID and clicking Submit. The exported package must be downloaded from this page and saved to the local computer. Select Click here to download the generated package file to save the file. The archived package will not be stored in the Blackboard file system! If the package is not downloaded from this page it will be lost, and the user must go through the export operation again.