Learning Modules & Folders
Summary
Learning Modules and Folders are containers for organising course content.
Relevant VLE site design principles
- 3.1 Essential: Organise module materials in sections that support student progress through the module.
- 3.4 Essential: Site and materials content is accessible.
Overview: content container types
Learning Modules and Folders are the containers available to ortganise your content. They function largely the same for staff, but students navigate the content items within the two container types differently. This means that there are some situations where either a Learning Module or a Folder may be more suitable.
Learning Modules make it easy for students to move between items, so are most appropriate for providing module materials.
- Used throughout the Ultra template structure
- Can contain sub-folders (nested folders function like Learning Modules)
- Default Learning Module icon, can change to a personalised image
- Students can access items in any order, or you can use Forced sequence to make them work through items in order
- Students can navigate between items without closing them (but staff can’t)
Folders are best used for reference items where students are likely to need only a specific item.
- Generally not included in the Ultra template structure, but you can add Folders to your site if needed
- Can contain sub-folders (nested folders function like Folders)
- Default Folder icon, can't be personalised
- Students can always access items in any order
- Students must close an item before selecting another
This video also gives an overview of how to differentiate Folders vs Learning Modules:
Folders vs Learning Modules [YouTube]
Create a Learning Module or Folder
Where the same applies for both Learning Modules and Folders, we'll use "container" for simplicity.
Containers can be created within the Course Content area (your template will have pre-built containers for your content). Folders can also be created inside another container for supporting multi-level structures. A Folder within a Folder navigates like a Folder, but a Folder within a Learning Module navigates like a Learning Module. Learning Modules cannot be directly created inside another container.
- Hover where the container should appear. Click the plus icon then Create.
- Under Course Content Items, select Learning Module or Document.
- Enter a descriptive title for the container (eg. Week 3: equipment & safety).
- Set the item visibility (you an also set this later).
- Add a brief description that will display in the Course Content area.
- [Learning Modules only] If you want students to access content items in order, click Forced Sequence.
- [Learning Modules only] You can add a custom image to display on the Course Content page. See the Learning Module images(#learning-module-images) section below for details.
- Click Save.
Watch a demonstration of the basics of creating a Learning Module:
BLackBoard's guide to Create Learning Modules in Ultra Course View [YouTube]
Learning Module images
Learning Modules can display a small image on the Course Content page. This can be used to reflect the topic of weekly content.
The image will appear on the left of the module on the Course Content area, helping to make the site more visually appealing and aid navigation. You can't change the size or shape of the image shown.
Note
Some departmental templates include pre-populated Learning Module images. Refer to your departmental guidance on whether these should be changed.
Add or update an image
- Create a new Learning Module or click the three dots icon to edit an existing Learning Module.
- In the Image section, click the image icon or Add Image and upload an image. JPEG and PNG formats are supported.
- Preview the image: click Next to continue, or click the bin icon to delete and upload another.
- Select the area of the image to appear on the Learning Module. You can adjust the zoom of the image using the slider. Click Save to continue.
- Click Save.
You can also watch a demonstration of adding a Learning Module image:
How To Add Learning Module Icon Images To VLE Ultra [YouTube]
Accessiblity
The learning module image is automatically marked as decorative, which hides the banner for students using assistive technologies. If the content of the image is important, uncheck Mark the image as decorative and enter a description of the image in the Alternative text field.
Sourcing images
Warning
You must not use copyrighted material for site images.
Images should be high quality: use the University’s photo library or Unsplash.com to source copyright-free images.
Download images at a resolution that meets the minimum requirements for Ultra. The Web Image gallery size on the University's photo library meets these requirements.
