Create a web link

You can embed a web link so it appears as a standalone piece of content alongside other materials. For example, you can add a link to a website with the required reading you list in the syllabus.

Be sure Edit Mode is ON so you can access all of the instructor's functions.

  1. In a content area, learning module, lesson plan, or folder, select Build Content to access the menu and select Web Link.
  2. Type a name and paste or type the URL. Use the http:// protocol, such as http://www.myinstitution.edu/.
  3. Type an optional description. You can use the functions in the editor to embed content in your text and add formatting. You have creative control over how your content appears and the flexibility to change the order and appearance when you want.
  4. Select Browse My Computer to upload a file from your computer. The file is saved in the top-level folder in your course's file repository: Course Files or the Content Collection. You can also attach a file from the repository.

    -OR-

    Drag files from your computer to the "hot spot" in the Attach Files area. If your browser allows, you can also drag a folder of files. The files may upload individually. If the browser doesn't allow you to submit the web link after you upload a folder, select Do not attach in the folder's row to remove it. You can drag the files individually and submit again.

    You won't be able to drag files to upload if your institution uses an older version of Blackboard Learn.

    You can use the file name or provide another name for the file.

  5. Select the appropriate options for availability, tracking, and display dates. Display dates don't affect a web link's availability, only when it appears.
  6. After you submit, the web link appears in the content list. You can change the content at any time. Open the web link's menu and select Edit.

You can change where the item appears in the list with the drag-and-drop function or the keyboard accessible reordering tool.

Link to a tool provider

Select the Tool Provider check box if the web link is a third party tool that implements the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) protocol. LTI is an initiative managed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium to seamlessly integrate externally hosted web-based learning tools into courses.

For example, if you use external resources that require logins for activities, such as virtual science experiments, create a tool provider web link. Based on the configuration, this link can then pass user information to the tool provider to create a seamless experience for students.

If your institution has already set up the tool provider, paste or type the web address in the URL box. If your institution hasn't performed the setup, and you received a key and secret from the tool provider, add them in the boxes. Provide any custom parameters required by the tool provider. You may also enable grading.

More on tool providers