Exporting and Importing Your Course

11 Feb, 2014 Blackboard, Course Management Getting started  Print This Post 1

Contents

• Overview
• How to Export a Course
• How to Download the Exported Package
• How to Import a Course Package
• How Content is Copied Over
• How Discussion Boards are Copied Over
• Course Links

Overview

For most users, Course Copy now replaces the Course Export/Import process as a way of reusing old course materials and structures in new courses. However, if you would like to use the old method (if, for instance, you exported a course several semesters ago and it is now deleted from CourseWeb, you may still import that course with this method), you may, using the steps below.

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How to Export a Course

The export course feature creates a package of the course content that you can import and use to teach another course with the same content. Unlike the archive course feature, the export course feature does not include any user interactions with the course—it only includes the content and the tools.

Export packages are downloaded as compressed ZIP files and are imported in the same format. Do not unzip an export package or delete files from the package, otherwise the package will not be imported correctly.

To access the Export Course page:

1. On the Control Panel, expand the Packages and Utilities section and click Export/Archive Course.
   
2. On the Export/Archive Course page, click Export Package on the Action Bar.
   
3. On the Export Course page, select whether to include only the links to course files or to include the links and copies of the course files content.
   
4. In the Select Course Materials section, select the check boxes for each course area and tool to export.
   
5. Click Submit.

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How to Download the Exported Package

When you submit the Export Course page, the system begins to create the course package. When the package is complete, you will receive an email from the system. After you receive the email, you can download the course package.

1. On the Control Panel, expand the Packages and Utilities section and select Export/Archive Course.
   
2. Click the link for the package that you want to download.
   
3. Save the file to the appropriate location. (Local computer or a flash drive.

To import your export package into a new course, proceed to the Import tutorial.

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How to Import a Course Package

A course import package is a .zip file of exported course content. Importing a course package into an existing course copies the content of the package into the existing course – also sometimes referred to as a course copy, a course clone, copying your course, or cloning your course. Import packages do not include user enrollments or records, such as discussion board posts and assessment attempts.

1. From the Control Panel, under Packages and Utilities, click Import Package / View Logs.
   
2. Click Import Package.
   
3. Click Browse My Computer to search for the package. (The package should be saved on your local computer or a flash drive already)
   
4. Select the course materials to include.
   
5. Click Submit.

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How Content is Copied Over

Content from menu content areas that have the same name in the package as in the existing course will be added in the same content area. Nothing will be removed from the course and replaced with content from the package. Imported content is appended to existing content in the same content area.

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How Discussion Boards are Copied Over

Discussion board forums are copied, but only the initial thread in each forum is included.

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Course Links

Links to parts of a course that are not imported will break when the links appear in the destination course. For example, if there is a link to a test in a content area and assessments are not imported, the link to the test is broken.

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