Content tool

Mobile SupportedThe Content tool enables you to create, edit, organise and delete modules and topics in your unit.

Why use the Content tool?

The Content tool enables you to create, edit, organise and delete modules and topics in your unit.

Opportunities

  • use Manage Content to build your unit structure
  • use Modules and Topics to structure your unit content
  • have the choice of adding content by:        
    • creating a new html file
    • using an existing file in the site
    • uploading a file from outside your site
    • building Quicklinks into your unit topics
  • reorder the sequence of your modules/topics as you build
  • give yourself a complete linear view of how students will progress through your unit site
  • use Reports to track student data regarding time spent in site and modules/topics visited
  • use Manage Files to store and organise your files
  • set Restrictions on your content such as hiding modules/topics or setting release and close dates.

Tip

  • You can use the Instructional Design Wizard or the Site Builder as alternative means of building the structure of your unit.
Manage Content

Use Content Tool

Access Content tool

  1. Select your unit located under My Sites area on My Home, you will be taken to the Site Home for that unit.
  2. In order to get to the Content section, click on Content in the navigation bar.

Note: If a specific learning path has been defined for your course, some content areas may only be available once you complete prerequisite sections or assignments.

View unit content

  1. Once you are at the Content page, you will find that it is divided into four main areas:
    • Unit Overview provides you an overview of your unit.
    • Bookmarks display all the bookmarked documents.
    • Upcoming Events lists unit material due dates, start dates, end dates and any unit events for the next seven days.
    • Table of Contents shows you all your unit material and it also provides an easy way to browse through the available files. All modules are also listed under the Table of Contents.
  2. From the Table of Contents, click on the title of the topic to view the content.
  3. On the topic page, you can use:
    • Add Bookmark button to mark the document to be retrieved for future purpose.
    • View content in new window button opens the topic in a new window.
    • Go to previous topic button to navigate to the previous topic.
    • Go to next topic button to navigate to the next topic.
    • Topic's context menu to see more options including:
      • Download
      • Send to Binder
      • Submit Feedback for this topic
    • Breadcrumbs to navigate back to modules or Table of Contents.
    • Module lists at the bottom of the page that display all the topics for the module.

Download and print content

  1. Go to the topic that you wish to download.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the topic and click Download.
  3. From the pop-up window, save the zip file and use appropriate software to open the topic.
  4. To print, click Print from the menu of the appropriate software.

Manage Content

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Transcript for Content

The Content tool is used to organise unit materials, such as the unit guide, lecture notes, learning activities and readings. Using the Content tool you can create, edit, organise and delete modules and topics in your unit.

To access the Content tool, click the Content link from the navigation bar.

You must create a module before you can add topics. You can create modules within existing modules to establish a deeper hierarchy, if needed.

  1. At the bottom of Content page, type your module name in the Add a module field.
  2. When done, press Enter (on your keyboard). The newly created module should now be listed under the Table of Contents.
  3. If you wish, click on Add a description to provide students with an overview of this module. When done, click Update.
  4. Click on the on Published and select Draft from the dropdown list to hide this module from students while it is under construction..

Once you have created a module, you can add topics to it. The following steps will demonstrate how to create a new html file.

  1. Click on the New button and select New Document.
  2. Type a Title.
  3. Enter your content in the content area.
  4. Click Publish.

You can also create and update topics, by dragging and dropping files from your computer, such as a PDF or PowerPoint file, into the module's upload target area.

Note: This function is only available in Mozilla Firefox. If the drag and drop functionality is not available in your browser, use the following steps to upload files.

  1. Click on New and select Upload Files.
  2. Click Upload and select the files you wish to upload.
  3. Click Open and then click Done.
  4. The files are now added to the module.

To reorder the topics, click on the topic to drag and drop it into the new position.

You can also link to other tools such as Discussions, Dropboxes and Quizzes within a module.

  1. Click on Add Activities and select the related tools.
  2. Depending on the tool you've selected, you'll be provided with a list to choose from. For example, if you've selected Discussions, you'll be able to pick a topic or forum.
  3. Click Insert.

When the module is ready to release to students, click on Draft and select Published to make the module available to students.

To see the "student view" of the content, you will need to impersonate the Demo Student in the Classlist.

Access Manage Content

Click the Content link from the navigation bar at the top of the screen.

Create a new module

You must create a module before you can add topics. You can create modules within existing modules to establish a deeper hierarchy, if needed.

  1. At the bottom of Content page, type your module name in the Add a module field.
  2. When done, press Enter (on your keyboard). The newly created module should now list under the Table of Contents.
  3. If you wish, at the Add a description field provides an overview of this module to your students. When done, click Update.

Create a new topic

Note: You must create at least one module before creating a topic. Once you have created a module, you can add topics to it.

To see the "student view" of the content, you will need to impersonate the Demo Student in the Classlist.

  1. Go to the Module you want to add this topic to.
  2. If you wish, click on Add a description to add a description about the module.
  3. Click Update.
  4. Click on the dropdown list of Published and select Draft to hide this module from students temporarily while you are working on this.
  5. Click on the New button and select New Document.
  6. Type a Title.
  7. Enter your content in the content area.
  8. Click Publish.

Use HTML editor (WYSIWYG)

The HTML Editor integrates with all the learning environment tools to enable you to create HTML content. For example, the HTML Editor is available when you edit discussion topics, create custom instructions for Dropbox folders, create ePortfolio artefacts and create content topics.

The HTML Editor features two tabs:

  • Basic: the basic tab displays features for common word processing tasks, for example, underlining, bullets, inserting images, hyperlinks, tables and spell checking.
  • Advanced: the advanced tab displays all available features, for example: inserting objects such as Flash animation files and videos.

Add an existing file

If you've uploaded your unit's files to Manage File, use this method to add files to modules.

  1. Go to the Module you want to add the files to.
  2. Drag and drop files from your computer into a module's upload target to add topics.
    Note: This function is only available in Mozilla Firefox. If the drag and drop functionality is not available in your browser, use the following steps to upload files.
    1. Click on New and select Upload Files.
    2. Click Upload and select the files you wish to upload.
    3. Click Open and then click Done.
    4. The files are now added to the module.

Reorder

To reorder Module

  1. Click on Tables of Content.
  2. Drag the module and drop in the place you want.

To reorder Topics

  1. Go to the Module you want to reorder the topics.
  2. Drag the topic and drop in the place you want.

Add Quicklinks

You can also link to other tools such as Discussions, Dropbox, Quizzes and so on within a module.

  1. Go to the Module.
  2. Click on Add Activities and select the related tools.
  3. Depending on the tool you've selected, you'll be provided with a list to choose from. For example, if you've selected Discussions, you'll be able to pick a topic or forum.
  4. Click Insert.

Use Restrictions

Use the Restrictions function to limit access to the module if needed. This can be done in several ways.

Option Procedure
Hide a module from students' view Click on the dropdown list of Published and select Draft.
Set date/time restrictions Click on Restrictions and set the Start Date, Due Date and End Date. Then, click Update.
Set release conditions Click on Restrictions, use either Create or Browse to set the conditions. See Using Release Conditions

Use Site Builder

Site Builder enables you to interact with your unit materials and a variety of assessment tools in one consolidated interface so you can see and review your entire unit at once. The Site Builder interface is straightforward and efficient, transforming the process of unit design and set-up from multiple steps in different tools into simple one-step actions. Whether you're starting from scratch or updating existing units, Site Builder is an excellent tool for planning and organising unit materials.

As you build your unit, Site Builder interacts with the following learning environment tools; Content, Manage Files, Discussions, Dropbox, Quizzes, Grades and Competencies.

Site Builder also extends instructional design guidance provided by the Instructional Design Wizard by implementing and displaying the blueprint you create in the Wizard.

If you decide not to use the Instructional Design Wizard, Site Builder still enables you to incorporate instructional design best practices when planning your unit. As you build your unit outline with modules and placeholders, you can add notes to each module and Placeholder summarising your unit goals and learning objectives. When you are ready, you can populate your outline by creating appropriate lessons and activities within Site Builder.

Access Site Builder tool

  1. Click on Site Tools and select Other Tools from the navigation bar.
  2. Under Site Resources, click on Site Builder.

Understand Site Builder

The Site Builder user interface contains three main sections:

  1. Toolbox
    You can add modules, placeholders and objects to the canvas from three areas within the toolbox: Build Structure, Create Objects, and Browse Objects.
    Build Structure provides you with module and placeholder elements that you can add to your canvas to create your unit outline or plan.
    Create Objects provides you with a selection of objects you can create and add to the Canvas or drag onto placeholders on the Canvas. Direct access to object types within Site Builder enables you to bypass the complexity of setting up objects in their individual tool areas. You can create and add the following objects to the Canvas; links, HTML files, discussion topics, dropboxes, quizzes, grade items and learning objectives.
    Browse Objects displays a library of pre-existing objects in your unit. From Browse Objects, you can locate and add these pre-existing objects to the canvas or drag them onto placeholders on the Canvas. If you want, click on pre-existing objects in Browse Objects to view their details and associated grade items or learning objectives before you decide to add them to your unit structure. This section of the toolbox features a drill-down menu with breadcrumb links that appear at the top of the toolbox as you navigate deeper into the menu. You can click on breadcrumb links to return to a previous section.
  2. Canvas
    The Canvas is a visual representation of your unit structure. It displays the hierarchy of your unit content as a series of nested nodes.
    Each structure element on the canvas is called a Node. Node is a general term that can represent a module, placeholder or object.
    Each Node on the Canvas includes an icon indicating its type. This can help you to see what's in your unit at a glance.
    The Canvas simplifies the process of rearranging, copying and deleting your unit structure.
    Tip: Once you're satisfied with the arrangement of your unit, you can click View Content to see how your unit content displays for students.
  3. Selected Node Panel
    When you select a node on the canvas, the selected node panel displays its details and enables you to perform actions on that node. From the selected node panel, you can:
    • view general properties for an object
    • edit placeholder properties to change the display name or add planning notes
    • edit object properties
    • launch an object's associated system tool
    • perform node-related actions.

Manage module and placeholder

Create a module and placeholder

Modules and placeholders are valuable during the initial stages of unit planning, helping you plan your unit before you create its content. For example, if you haven't determined what your mid-term tests and assignments will be, you can drag quiz placeholders from the toolbox onto the canvas to plan where you might want to add them. You can add notes to module and placeholder descriptions about unit content you intend to develop and learning objectives you want your students to achieve. You can also choose to add real content as you build your unit by creating and adding objects to the canvas.

  1. From the Build Structure section of the Toolbox, drag the Create a module icon onto the canvas in the location you want.
  2. Enter a Name and add Notes if you want.
  3. Set the Restrictions date, if applicable.
  4. Click Create.
  5. From the Builder Structure section of the Toolbox, drag one of the placeholder onto the module you've created. For example, you've a HTML file that you would like to use, drag the Create a file placeholder onto the module you've just created above.
  6. Enter Name and Notes for the placeholder.
  7. Click Create.
  8. Repeat step 5 to 7 for all your placeholder.

Note: A placeholder appears in dotted border box.

Edit a module or placeholder

  1. On the canvas, select the module or placeholder you want to edit.
  2. In the Selected Node Panel, click Edit Module or Edit Placeholder.
  3. From the pop-up window, make the changes you want to its Name or Notes.
  4. Click Save.

Manage objects

Create objects

  1. From the Create Objects section of the Toolbox, drag an object type onto a module in the Canvas. For example, you would like to create a Welcome page to introduce yourself and your unit, drag the icon of Create an HTML file onto a module.
    Note: You can also drag an object type onto a placeholder.
  2. Enter general details and content for the object. This step depending on the object you're creating.
  3. Click Create or Save.

Note: Create and associate a new grade item can only be used with Discussion, Dropbox or Quiz object.

Add an existing object

Use the following steps if you've already uploaded your unit's files to the Manage File.

  1. In the Toolbox, use the Browse Objects section to locate an existing object in your unit. For example, you've a html file, click Site Files and navigate to the folder where you store the file.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Drag the object you want to add to your unit onto a drop target on the canvas.
    • Select the check box beside the object you want to add to your unit structure and click Add to Site. From the Select a location pop-up window, click on the module or placeholder you want to add your object to.

Edit an object

  1. On the canvas, select the node of the object you want to edit.
  2. Under the selected node panel, you can:
    • click Edit Placeholder to edit the placeholder
    • click Edit to edit basic information and grade item associations.
  3. Make the changes you want and click Save.

Manage nodes on the canvas

The canvas is a drag-and-drop workspace where you can arrange and rearrange unit structure. The canvas represents unit content as a hierarchy of nested nodes. The appearance of each node denotes its type, the object type it holds, and actions you can perform on it.

The first node on the canvas is the unit node. When selected, you can change your unit offering information in the selected node panel. You can also return to the Site Builder Welcome Page from the unit node's context menu.

Drop targets indicate where you can drag a particular module, placeholder, or object. If you drag an item over a node, that node appears orange to indicate whether you can drop it there.

A node turns orange when it is a drop target. If you drag an item above or below a node, a black line appears to indicate whether you can drop that item before or after the node. A black line indicates a drop target.

Dropping an item on a module node or the unit node automatically appends that item to the bottom of the parent node's hierarchy. This is helpful when adding many items after one another; instead of dragging each one to the bottom of a sizable hierarchy, you can simply drop items on the parent node.

Move a node

Use the move commands in a node's context menu as an alternative to dragging and dropping from one section in your unit to another.

  1. Select the node you want to move.
  2. In the node's context menu, click Move Up, Move Down or click Move To change the node's location entirely.
  3. In the Select a location pop-up window, click on the module you want to move your object to.

Cut and paste a node

You can also cut and paste a node as an alternative to dragging and dropping it from one section in your unit to another.

  1. Select the node with the placeholder or structure you want to cut.
  2. In the node's context menu, click Cut.
  3. In the context menu of the node or the closest node to the location you want to paste, click Paste After, Paste Before, or Paste As Child.
    Child - If an item is a child of something else, it will appear indented beneath the other item. For instance, content topics can be children of a particular parent module. Discussion topics can be children of a particular parent forum.

Remove a node

  1. Select the node you want to delete.
  2. In the node's context menu, click Remove.

Note: When you remove a module node, its child modules and placeholders are also removed.

Manage broken objects

Deleting or moving files, links, discussions, dropboxes and quizzes within their tools can result in broken objects. If an object breaks, Site Builder displays a broken link status icon within its node.

The object becomes a placeholder retaining its name and notes, to repair a broken object, simply drag an object from the toolbox onto the placeholder.


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