3.f - Submitting Files in Blackboard

One of the most common online interactions you will have with the Blackboard system involves submitting files to the Instructor through the Digital Drop-Box or Assignments. The process typically involves browsing for the file on your PC and uploading the file to the course. Below are two of the most common scenarios:

Uploading a file to the Digital Drop Box:

Find the Digital Drop-Box for the course by clicking on "User Tools", and then the "Digital Dropbox" link:
This will open the Digital Dropbox Screen, where you can Upload files to your DropBox on the server, and/or send files to the instructor of the course. Notice there are no files in this student's Drop Box, but there is a button for Adding, and a button for Sending Files:
When you are ready to Upload a File, click on the "Add File" button to start the file upload process:

First, type a name for the file you want to upload. Many Instructors will ask that you also type your name next to the filename to make it easier for the Instructor to identify your paper among the other student's papers in the Dropbox. Then use the "Browse" button to explore your computer and find the actual file you want to upload. Next, type in your comments about the file, and finally click on "Submit" to upload the file to the server.
Once the file has been uploaded, it is now in YOUR dropbox. You should see a Receipt when the file has been successfully uploaded to your dropbox. Please note that the Instructor WILL NOT receive the file until you SEND the file to the Instructor's Dropbox!

Click on "OK" to proceed.
Now, will see the file listed in your dropbox, and you can either view the file by clicking on the filename or you can remove the file by clicking on the "Remove" button. When you are ready to send your file to your instructor, click on "Send File" at the top of the screen:
On the next screen, select the file you want to send, and click on "Submit". This will send that file to any/all Instructors associated with this course:

Notice that this page also allows you to Upload and Submit the file at the same time if you wish. However, it is our recommendation that you ALWAYS Upload your files first, and THEN submit using the process outlined above. This ensures that the file that you want to send has been properly uploaded into YOUR Digital Dropbox before sending to your Instructor. This allows you to re-send your document to the instructor if needed in the future.

Completing Assignments by Uploading a File:

Assignments are another area where your Instructor might want you to upload a file. Assignments are a special type of course item that allows you to complete the assignment by attaching a file to the assignment for the Instructor to review and grade. Use these steps as a guide for uploading/attaching files to an Assignment:

First, find the Assignment in your course. Generally Assignments will have a special Icon next to them, and will have a "View/Complete Assignment..." link below the assignment instructions. In the example below, you will see an Assignment called "Example Assignment". To complete the assignment, the student would click on ">> View/Complete Assignment: Example Assignment":
This will open the "Upload Assignment" screen as below. On this screen, you will be able to type in some comments to save along with the file. These are comments that your instructor will be able to see next to the file you have submitted. Then, use the "Browse" button to locate the file on your computer, and click on "Save" to save the file with this assignment.
Upon saving the file, you will see a Receipt from the Blackboard server telling you the assignment has been saved. Now you can click on "OK" to continue.
That will bring you back to the Assignment area in the Course as shown for our example. When you are ready submit your completed assignment to the Instructor for review/grading, come back to this Assignment, and again, click on "View/Complete Assignment:
This time, you will notice that your information is already saved, and the file(s) you have attached are saved with the assignment as well. At this point, you can either review the file, attach more additional files, or edit your comments. When you are ready to submit your assignment, click on the "Submit" button:
After you have submitted your assignment you will NOT be able to make changes to the assignment without the Instructor's approval! This is very important to remember. If you come back to the Assignment and click on "View/Complete Assignment" after submitting it to the Instructor, you will only be able to see your grade (once it is posted), and view comments from the Instructor:

While this process might seem cumbersome at first, once you have had a chance to upload and save files on Blackboard a couple of times, it will become very familiar. Take your time at your first attempt and ensure that you have these instructions handy.

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