Tip #58: Beginning of Semester Checklist

Tip: Beginning of semester tasks

1. Enhance course design and menu options
2. Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable)
3. Make the course available

Enhance the course design and menu options:

1. Access your course
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Course Design where you can:
   
   • choose a course menu design
   • manage how the menu is displayed
   • manage the tool panel
   • add/change the course banner
     
3. Return to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Manage Course Menu
   
   • To re-arrange the order of menu items, click the number next to an item and select a new number order for the item
   • To modify or remove a menu item, click the Modify or Remove button next to an item
   • To add a content area, a link to a course tool, a link to a course area, or an external link to the course menu, click the appropriate button at the top of the page
4. Click OK

Combine multiple course sections into one shell (if applicable):

1. Access the course from which you want to move users
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Course Copy (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click Copy Course Materials into an Existing Course
4. Type or Search for the Destination Course ID
   
• NOTE: The Destination Course is the course to which the enrollments will be copied
5. Place a checkmark next to Tasks and next to Enrollments
6. Click Submit
   
   • NOTE: You will receive an email notification when the enrollments copy is complete

Make the course available:

1. Access the course you want to make available
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Settings (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click Course Availability
4. Select Yes, and click Submit