BlackBoard Question of the Week

Q. Is there a way that I can limit access to a folder in my course to only a select group of students?

A. If you click on the chevron icon next to the folder you’ve created, you can select Adaptive Release.  In the Adaptive Release settings, under Membership, you have the option to add the usernames of those you would like to have access to the folder. This Blackboard video explains Adaptive Release rules:  Adaptive Release: Create Multiple Rules for a Content Item .

Or you could create groups and use the File Exchange area to make items available for specific groups.  Here is a link to a tutorial on creating groups:  Creating Student Groups .

Q. Is there a way for me to post my PowerPoint lectures on Blackboard in such a way that each time a student consults the Powerpoint, he or she must first check a box that speaks of copyright restrictions on material in the Powerpoint? 

A. You can add an adaptive release rule on the Powerpoint file that requires students to click on a button associated with the copyright restriction text before they can see the Powerpoint. But there isn’t a way to require them to click the button every time they want to view the Powerpoint, only the first time. Here are instructions for creating the adaptive release rule:

1. Upload the Powerpoint file to your course.
2. Add an item for Copyright Restrictions, typing the restrictions, or copying and pasting the restrictions in the text box. (Technically, you can attach a document at this point, but if you do, you will only get a link to the text and students may not click on the link to read it.)
3. Submit.
4. Click the Manage button for the Powerpoint, then select Adaptive Release.
5. On the Adaptive Release page, beside  4. Review status, click Browse and then click on the Copyright Restrictions item you added.
6. Click Submit, then click OK.

At first, when students log into your course, they will not see the Powerpoint. They will see the copyright restrictions in the content area where you posted that item, with a “Mark Reviewed” button to the right of the item.  When an individual student clicks the Mark Reviewed button, indicating that he or she has read the copyright restrictions, the Powerpoint will become visible for that student.

You can find out which students have reviewed the Copyright Restrictions item by going to Control Panel, then to Performance Dashboard, under the Assessment heading. There is a column for “Review Status” and it will have a number in it for each student who has clicked the Review Status button.

Q. I am a leader of a Blackboard organization and I have enrolled persons who are full-time faculty, part-time faculty and graduate students.  I have set up groups so that I can send targeted e-mail messages.   Now I want to post content but somehow limit access to the content based upon group membership — can I do this? 

A. It is possible to limit access to content based on group membership using an adaptive release rule. Here’s how:

1. From the control panel, post a content item in any content area.
2. Select Manage next to the item.
3. Select Adaptive Release.
4. On the Adaptive Release page under Membership, select the group(s) you want to give access to.
5. Scroll down and click Submit.

 Now the content will appear for the group(s) you selected, but others will not see it.

Q. For a couple of my assignments students have saved their work but either forgot to submit it, or didn’t know what the deadline was.  Is there any way I can view their saved assignments, or some way I can open up the assignments for only a few specific students so they can submit their material later?

A. There isn’t a way to view assignments that have not been submitted, but you can make the assignment available to only a few students so they can submit later. Here’s how:

1. Go to the content area with the assignment using the course menu.
2. Click the chevron next to the assignment and select Adaptive Release.
3. On the Adaptive Release page under Membership, browse for the student(s) you want to give access to.
4. Scroll down and click Submit.

Now the assignment will appear for the students you selected, but others will not see it.