{"id":61310,"date":"2012-12-10T16:57:56","date_gmt":"2012-12-10T21:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/?page_id=61310"},"modified":"2025-05-23T15:44:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T19:44:58","slug":"beforelaunch","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/coursemgmt\/beforelaunch\/","title":{"rendered":"Before You Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

After developing a course site, here are some steps to consider before you launch your course. Most faculty choose to do these tasks at least two weeks before the start of the semester.<\/p>\n

Original View<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Make Your Course Available<\/h3>
<\/p>\n

Please Note: <\/strong>New Blackboard Learn course sites and course copies are set to unavailable by\u00a0default to prevent students from accessing course materials before the class starts.<\/p>\n

Option #1<\/strong><\/p>\n

From your course Home Page or any Content area, look for the padlock icon in the upper right, next to Edit Mode. Click the icon to make your course available.<\/p>\n

When the padlock icon is red, it indicates your course is unavailable to students<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

A grey icon (with the lock open) means that your course is accessible to enrolled students.<\/p>\n

\"Screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

Option #2<\/strong><\/p>\n

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      1. Log into Blackboard and under My Courses<\/strong>, click the link for the course you wish to enter.<\/li>\n
      2. Go to the course’s Control Panel<\/strong> on the left.<\/li>\n
      3. Click on Customization<\/strong>, then Properties<\/strong> .
        \n\"Screenshot<\/li>\n
      4. For item number 3, Set Availability<\/strong>, set the radio button to Yes<\/strong>.
        \n\"Screenshot<\/li>\n
      5. Click the green Submit<\/strong> button (located at the top and bottom of the page).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

        Select the Course Entry Point<\/h3>
        <\/p>\n
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            1. In the\u00a0Course Menu<\/strong>, click on the\u00a0down-pointing chevron<\/strong> to the right of the\u00a0Home\u00a0Page<\/strong> link and select\u00a0Show Link<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
            2. In the\u00a0Control Panel<\/strong> area, click\u00a0Customization<\/strong> and then select\u00a0Teaching Style.<\/strong><\/li>\n
            3. Scroll down to\u00a0Select Course\u00a0Entry Point<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
            4. Change the\u00a0Course Entry Point<\/strong> to\u00a0Home Page.<\/strong><\/li>\n
            5. Click Submit<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

              Turn Off Unnecessary Tools<\/h3>
              <\/p>\n
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                  1. In the upper-righthand corner of your course, make sure the\u00a0Edit Mode<\/strong> toggle is set to\u00a0ON<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                  2. Select\u00a0Tools<\/strong> from the\u00a0Course Menu<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                  3. Click\u00a0Hide Link<\/strong> next to the tools that you will not use in this course.<\/li>\n
                  4. To view the\u00a0Tools<\/strong> that will be available to students, switch\u00a0Edit Mode <\/strong>to\u00a0OFF<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

                    Design Your Course<\/h3>
                    <\/p>\n

                    Modify Your Course Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                        1. With\u00a0Edit Mode<\/strong> set to\u00a0ON<\/strong>, click the\u00a0+<\/strong> button at the top of the\u00a0Course Menu<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                        2. Select the item you would like to add. (The choices are detailed below.)<\/li>\n
                        3. Type in a\u00a0Name<\/strong> and add any other necessary\u00a0information.<\/li>\n
                        4. Check \u00a0Available to Users.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                        5. Click\u00a0Submit<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          Available Course Menu Options:<\/p>\n

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