Adding Course Content

Within your course, modules can be organized chronologically (e.g., Week 1, Module 1), by unit (e.g., Atomic Mass) or by theme (e.g., Sound). A module must be created before you can begin adding content (also referred to topics). Submodules can help further categorize content. 

As you begin working with content in UB Learns, keep in mind that these items must comply with accessibility and inclusion requirements. To learn more about how this can be accomplished, please visit the SUNY OSCQR Standards pages Content & Activities  and Design & Layout. 

UB Learns also utilizes Anthology Ally to review document in the course and provide a meter gauge as an indicator. As the instructor of a course, you should review these indicators to learn more about whether your content needs to be improved for accessibility concerns.

Please note: the meter indicators are not visible to students, however, students will be able to select a more preferable option for how to access content by selecting the arrow next to the course item in question. Visit Brightspace's guide on improving the accessibility of course content using Anthology Ally.

A well-designed module informs the students of the learning outcomes, breaks the content into manageable chunks, identifies what activities students need to complete and the deadlines by which to finish them. You can apply motivational strategies to your module design and activities that keep students engaged throughout your course. Likewise, instructor presence is an important component of online course design and should be considered during your course development, regardless of whether your class meets in-person or not. UB Learns has automated communication tools you can employ to bring efficiency to your online presence.

When creating content in UB Learns, link topics to the course schedule by adding the dates and times to the content you build. This step further organizes your course and helps students know when content is or will become available.

1. On the navbar, click Content.
   
2. In the Table of Contents panel, enter the name of your new module in the Add a module field and press Enter.
   

To add a sub-module, navigate to a module, enter the name of the new sub-module in the Add a sub-module field in the content column on the right (you may need to scroll down the page) and press Enter. 

In UB Learns, a piece of content is also called a topic.

Instructors can create new content and assessments in the Content area. Assessments already created with the Assignments, Discussions and Quizzes tools can also be added to Content.

1. Navigate to a module or sub-module.
2. Click Upload/Create.
   
3. Select one of the following options:
   • Upload Files: Add a file from your computer.
   • Video or Audio: Add a URL or embed code for a video or audio recording. We highly encourage instructors to upload videos to UB's Panopto service instead of uploading it directly to UB Learns (see the next bullet: Create a File).
     
   • Create a File: Create content in UB Learns using the Brightspace Editor. You can apply an accessible Document Template that adds a professional look to your content. Use the Insert Stuff tool to add images, embed Panopto videos and more.
   • Create a Link: Direct users to a website outside of UB Learns. Be sure to check Open as External Resource to avoid security errors.
   • Add from Manage Files: Add content that has already been uploaded to the Manage Files area of the course. Manage Files is not accessible by students.
     
   • Add Object from LOR: If your unit is using a Learning Object Repository (LOR), you can pull content from the LOR into your course.
   • New SCORM/xAPI Object: Add interactive content that was created in an eLearning authoring program such as Captivate, iSpring or Articulate.
   • New Assignment: Create an assignment directly in a module. The assignment will also be available in the Assignment tool.
     
   • New Checklist: Create a checklist.
   • New Discussion: Create a discussion directly in a module. The discussion will also be available in the Discussions tool.
     
   • New Quiz: Create a quiz. The quiz will also be available in the Quizzes tool.
     
   • New Survey: Create a survey. The survey will also be available in the Survey tool.
4. Follow the prompts on the screen to finish adding the content.
   
5. Set additional properties (e.g., availability, release conditions, etc.) if necessary.

In some areas, you can add files to UB Learns using drag-and-drop.

• To enter View as Student, click your name in the upper-right corner and select View as Student.
• To exit View as Student, click your name in the upper-right corner and then click the X icon.