1. UNM Learn
  2. Faculty Documentation for Learn
  3. Build Content
  4. How to Create Content

How to Create Content

The Build Content menu in Learn allows you to add files, create content pages, create folders, upload images, etc. into a Content Area in Learn, allowing you to organize your course material.

Frequently Asked Questions
Editing or Adding Content and Links
Student View of Your Course
Build Content
Tools for Producing Instructional Materials

Blank Page:

"Blank page" is a way to create a page of content using the content editor instead of uploading a file.

It's a great tool, but that page only exists where it is linked.  Deleting a "Blank page" item on your content page will permanently remove it from your course. There is no copy of it in your Content Collection.

Turn Editing Mode On

The Edit on/off button is in the upper right below the My Learn tab.

In order for students to see an element in your course, that element must be added to one of these Course Areas

  • in the Course Menu - add a content area
  • OR on a folder
  • OR in a learning module

Student View

  • The Student View button is in the upper right below the My Learn tab.
    • You may complete assessments in the Student View.
    • The "Demo User" student account will appear in the grade center after the first time you enter the Student View.
  • That same button will allow you to Return to the Instructor View.
    • If you happen to click the My Learn tab while in the student view, your My Learn page will just reflect that course. Enter the course and click the return button to reset your instructor view.

About Course Areas

Course areas are places to add links to and organize elements of your course. There are three primary types:

  1. Content Areas are the top-level course areas that provide your course structure. They are linked and created on the course menu only. They contain other course areas and content items.
  2. Folders are containers for content; you can add folders to a content area page, to another folder page or within a learning module. Inside the learning module, content placed in a folder will be indented in the Table of Contents.
  3. Learning modules are containers for content, can include a Table of Contents, and can require sequential viewing of its content.

About Content Types

You can create many different content types in your course areas. Advance planning of the items to include in course areas can save you time and create a more organized final product. Consider your course goals, objectives, and audience demographics. Review your existing materials to determine what you can use online. Consider outlining or story-boarding a Content Area, Learning Module, Lesson Plan, or folder before creating content to create a logical organization.

The following table describes the different content types available in the Build Content drop-down list.

Content TypeDescription
Item A general piece of content, such as a file, image, text, or link which a description and other items can be attached.
File An HTML file that you can use in your course. These files can be viewed as a page within your course or as a separate piece of content in a separate browser window.
Audio

Image

Video

 Upload files from your computer and incorporate them in a course area.
Web link Link to an outside web site or resource.
Learning module A set of content that includes a structured path for progressing through the items.
Lesson plan A special content type that combines information about the lesson itself with the curriculum resources used to teach it.
Syllabus Enables you to attach an existing syllabus file or build a course syllabus by walking through a series of steps
Course link A shortcut to an item, tool, or area in a course.
Content folder A course area that contains content items. Folders allow content to be structured with a hierarchy or categories.
Blank page The blank page tool allows you to include files, images, and text as a link in a course area. Blank pages present content in a different way than items do. There is no description that appears below the title of the page. Users see your content only after clicking the link.
Module page A page containing dynamic personalized content modules that help users keep track of tasks, tests, assignments, and new content created in the course.
Mashups

Mashups allow you to include content in a course that is from an external web site. Three types of Mashups are available:

  • Flickr Photo: Link to a site for viewing and sharing photographic images
  • SlideShare: Link to a site for viewing and sharing PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, or Adobe PDF Portfolios
  • YouTube: Link to a site for viewing and sharing online videos

Blackboard How-to articles

Creating Course Areas for Content
This page will explain:

  • how to create and plan a content area (from the Course Menu)
  • how to add folders
  • how to build learning modules.
  • *Note - UNM does not offer the lesson plan content option, so disregard that section.

Editing and Managing Course Areas and Content
Include:

  • how to hide content from students
  • copying or moving content
  • how to start and view tracking on content links
  • how to view user progress

What Next? Try the Course Structure page