Workflow Activities

Overview

The Workflow feature is a sophisticated tool for assigning and tracking tasks related to a content item. Although all workflows function in essentially the same way, the different types of workflow are designed to handle a wide range of tasks. The different workflows are:

· Approve: Use this workflow to ask other users to review a file and validate it.

· Complete: Use this workflow to ask other users to complete work on a file.

· Grade: Use this workflow to ask other users to review a file and submit a grade.

· Remind: Use this workflow to prompt users to take action regarding a file.

· Review: Use this workflow to solicit opinions or analysis on a file from other users.

· Share: Use this workflow to collaborate with other users.

Note: Administrators may assign tasks through the System Admin Panel. Tasks must be modified and tracked through the Content System Tab. See the Content System User Manual for additional information.

Create Workflow

Workflows are built and sent to other users from the Create Workflow page. The steps for creating a workflow are the same for each type of workflow.

Create Workflow: Complete

Find this page

Follow these steps to open a Create Workflow page.

Step 4 Open the Blackboard Learning System Administrator Control Panel.

Step 5 Select Manage Content under Content System.

Step 6 Select a type of workflow from the drop-down list in the action bar and then click Go. The Create Workflow page will appear.

Fields

The Create Workflow page includes the following fields.

Field	Description
Activity Information
Title	Enter a title for the workflow. This title will appear in the Received Activities for users selected to receive the workflow.
Instructions	Enter any instructions for completing the task.
Type	This field displays the type of workflow that will be created. The type of workflow is selected from the Manage Workflow Activities: Sent Activities page.
Priority	Select a priority from the drop-down lists. There are three levels of importance that can be assigned to a workflow: · High · Normal · Low
Deadline	Enter a date that the workflow must be completed in MM/DD/YYYY format or use the calendar pop-up to select a date from a graphical interface. A link to the calendar pop-up appears next to the field.
Send Activity to Users
User Name	Enter the User Name of each user that will receive the workflow. Separate User Names by commas. The Browse button next to the field will open a search function to help find users. User Names can be selected and added to the workflow directly from the search results.
Email to Users	Select this check box to notify users of the new workflow with an email message. The email message is automatically generated and sent. It contains a link to the workflow and the subject line is “Your Name has sent you an Activity.”
Send Activity to Course(s)
Your Courses:	Check the box next to each course that will receive this activity.
Additional Courses:	Use the Browse button to find courses that will receive this activity. Separate multiple courses with a comma.
Roles:	Check the box next to each user role that will receive this activity. All users in the courses chosen above who have these roles, will receive this activity.
Email to Course User(s):	Select this check box to notify users of the new workflow with an email message. The email message is automatically generated and sent. It contains a link to the workflow and the subject line is “Your Name has sent you an Activity.”
Content Items
Content Addresses	Enter the path to a folder or file to include in the workflow or click Browse to open a pop-up window with the Blackboard Content System directory so you can search and select the folder or file. It is possible to include multiple folders and files in a workflow.
Permissions	Select each permission that users should have over the file or folder included in the workflow.