Administrators can create templates for portfolios. Portfolio templates define the structure and style of portfolios, leaving it to users to populate the portfolio with appropriate artifacts. Templates are useful for applying a standard structure to ensure that user portfolios meet the educational goals for the portfolio.

When creating portfolios, users can select a template so they have a starting point.

Create a personal portfolio template

The following instructions apply to Blackboard Learn 9.1 2014 and later.

  1. On the Administrator Panel in the Tools section, select Portfolios.
  2. Select Create Template.
  3. Type a title for the portfolio. The title appears at the top of the portfolio. Optionally, provide a description and instructions.
  4. Select the template content settings and availability.
  5. Select Submit. The template opens for editing.

The first time you create a portfolio, you have the option of taking a brief guided tour of the portfolio authoring canvas. If you choose to skip or replay the tour, you can select the compass icon to view it later.


To customize the portfolio template's header and footer, select the pencil icon.

A portfolio consists of pages and sections. Use a page to provide structure to the portfolio. Each page must have at least one section. Use a section to provide structure to the page's content.

The menu shows all of the portfolio's pages and sections, which you can use to manage them. Select the plus icon at the top of the menu to add pages and sections. To delete pages, select the trash can icon to the right of a page.

Deleting a page also deletes all of the sections and content on that page. Artifacts associated with a section remain in the My Artifacts repository, and you can reuse them.

Use the drag-and-drop function to rearrange pages and sections in the menu. During authoring, use the menu to move among pages to edit them.

Select the pencil icon next to a section title to edit it. Each section has a content editor for creating freeform content. The content editor appears when you select the content editor box. You can associate one or more artifacts with each section. Typically, you add artifacts to a section and use the content editor to reflect on those artifacts.

The Settings option allows you to change the decisions made when creating the portfolio, such as the portfolio title and description.

The Preview and Customize option lets you to see how the portfolio will look, and make layout and color palette decisions that affect the final design of the portfolio.

Select Done Editing when you're finished. If you try to exit without saving new and updated content, you are warned of unsaved changes.

Create a portfolio template for Blackboard Learn SP14 and earlier

  1. On the Administrator Panel, select Portfolios in the Content Management menu.
  2. Select Personal Portfolio Templates , then Create Template.
  3. Type a name for the template. This name appears to users as a template choice when they create a personal portfolio.
  4. Type a title for the portfolio. The title appears at the top of the portfolio. Optionally, provide a description and instructions.
  5. Select the template content settings and availability.
  6. Select Submit to save and create the template.
  7. In a template's menu, select Build the Template.
  8. Multiple options appear so you can edit the template properties, define the portfolio styles, and create portfolio pages. You can determine users' ability to edit or add to these settings. The table below describes the available fields. When you're finished, select Submit.
Portfolio Options
Field Description
Select Layout Theme
Layouts Select a layout to define the position of contents and navigation items in the portfolio.
Allow recipient to edit If this check box is selected, portfolio template recipients can change the theme of their portfolios.
Design Background
Background Color Select a background color from the swatch menu.
Background Image Select the box if no image is to be displayed.
New Background Image Browse for a new background image.
Allow recipient to edit If this check box is selected, portfolio template recipients can change the background of their portfolios.
Font Settings
Default Font Select a default font from the list. Assign a size and a color.
Default Font Preview The default font preview is for display only.
Allow recipient to edit If this check box is selected, portfolio recipients can change the default font settings of their portfolios.
Page Title Font Settings Select to open the Page Title Font Settings section. Page titles appear at the top of pages in the portfolio unless they are hidden. Select Use Template Defaults to use the default font for titles. Select Customize Page Title Font Settings to change the default font.
Page Headings Font Settings Select to open the Page Headings Font Settings section. Page headings appear on portfolio pages unless they are hidden. Select Use Template Defaults to use the default font for headings. Select Customize Page Heading Font to change the default font.
Style Navigation Menu
Preview Previewing menu items is for display only.
Style Select Text or Buttons for the style display.
Menu Font Select Use Template Defaults or Customize Navigation Menu Font. For Customize Navigation Menu Font, select a background color and font options.
Allow recipient to edit If this check box is selected, portfolio recipients can change the style navigation menu of their portfolios.