Import Course

The Import Package feature uploads course content from a Blackboard Exported Course file (.zip) or Common Cartridge into a Blackboard course shell. For example, you have exported a fall course. Now you can use the import package feature to “copy” the content in your exported file into the new course.

Note: Never upload an Exported Course package that has been modified since it was created and downloaded. Opening the (.zip) file and changing any of the Exported Course package files will result in unstable and unpredictable behavior when the Course is imported.

• From the Control Panel
• Select Packages and Utilities
• Select Import Package/View Logs
• Select Import Package
• 
• Select a Package – choose the Browse Local Files button and locate your exported Blackboard course package. (Aren’t sure where your file saved to? Check your Downloads folder or contact us for assistance.)
  Note: the export file will be a compressed .zip file.
• Select Course Materials – Select the checkboxes next to the items you want to import
  • Choose the Select All button.
    • Uncheck Announcements if you do not want to reuse old Announcements
    • Discussion Board
      • Choose the second option, Include only the forums, with no starter posts – this will bring in the discussion topics, no posts included
    • Uncheck Settings
    • Recheck Banner Image and Navigation Settings only.
      • MAKE SURE Duration and Availability are NOT CHECKED – if you import the course duration settings, your new course will take on your old course dates. This causes problems with student access to your “live” course and problems with your year and thirty days of access to the course. If you import the course availability, then your course will be available to students immediately.
• Select Submit – ONLY CLICK ONCE
  • Important Note: The importing process may take a while depending on how many other courses are queued. Please DO NOT submit multiple times, or it will take even longer. When importing a course from your home computer, using a residential Internet connection, you may experience a delay of 15 or more minutes between the time you select Submit, and your import is actually submitted and queued.What you might see if there is a delay. The Import Package page remains displayed, and the status prompt on the lower left of your browser window will display a message that says “Sending request.” You may also see the “loading” circle icon on the browser tab. If this happens, do not press Submit again or your import. Rather wait until the page changes and a colored confirmation banner displays at the top of the page indicating your import’s progress. When you see this banner, you will know that your import has been successfully submitted and queued.
• A colored confirmation bar appears: “Success: This action has been queued. An email will be sent when the process is complete.”
• Additionally, a status bar appears: “Import: course name is waiting, running, or complete. To access the detailed log, click here.”
• Once the import is completed, to remove the status bar, you must select the here link.
• 
  • Important Note: If you don’t select here and review the log page, students will see a message that says the course is being edited, and it will confuse them.
  • Some errors and warnings are common, but it is always best to review the log and ask us if you have concerns or questions.
• Recommended – Check your HVCC email for a message from Blackboard Administrator. This message will indicate that the import file has been successfully imported.
  Note: After receiving this email, you may find that it takes a few minutes or longer for all of your course content to appear.
• Review your new course to ensure that all content has been imported correctly.

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Additional Tutorials:

• Export Course
• Archive Course

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Selecting Content to Import Manually

• • Must: Content Areas
  • Adaptive Release Rules for Content – If you are using this feature, it is recommended that you do not select it as the settings are based on previous students and semesters. However, you may need to use the same settings each semester. Remember, you can change the rules anytime.
  • Announcements – if you want to reuse old announcements, it’s a Must
  • Blogs – if you use this feature, a Must.
    
  • Calendar – if you use this feature, a Must.
    
  • Must: Contacts
  • Content Alignments – ignore this option. We do not use this tool at this time.
  • Must: Discussion Board
    • Select one of the following additional options:
      • Include starter posts for each thread in each forum (anonymized) – will bring in the starter threads, no replies.
      • Include only the forums, with no starter posts – will bring in the discussion topics, no posts included
  • Glossary – if you use this feature, a Must.
  • Must: Grade Center Columns and Settings
  • Group Settings – if you use this feature, a Must.
  • Journals – if you use this feature, a Must.
  • Retention Center Rules – if you use this feature, a Must.
  • Rubrics – if you use this feature, a Must.
  • Must: Settings – ONLY SELECT:
    • Banner Image
    • Navigation Settings
    • MAKE SURE Duration and Availability are NOT CHECKED – if you import the course duration settings, your new course will take on your old course dates. This causes problems with student access to your “live” course and problems with your year and thirty days of access to the course. If you import the course availability, then your course will be available to students immediately.
  • Tasks – if you use this feature, a Must.
  • Must: Tests, Surveys, and Pools
  • Wikis – if you use this feature, a Must.