Use the "Copy Items" function to Copy Course Content from your previous course into your new course. Note: You are only provided a course shell every semester so course materials will need to be copied from a previous location, typically the previous semester.

After a Course has been copied, it is important to make sure that the content is accurate, does not contain duplicates and that items are in the correct order. Note that Ultra navigation on the top and right of the screen is fixed. Your focus should be on the Content, Gradebook and Discussion tabs (if you use Discussions). 

If you will be conducting Zoom Meetings during the semester, it is best to set those up inside of Blackboard using the Zoom integration. We have provided a hidden link that you can make available to students and use to set up your Zoom meetings and share recordings with students. 

Copy the Concourse Syllabus (from another semester) and make any needed updates to sections (e.g. dates/times/contact info, Zoom links, etc.). (Note: you will need to copy in your own fields each semester, they are not copied in automatically.)

Check Content folders to make sure all content and course links work when clicked. Check to see if hyperlinks work and are set to open in a new window and are still relative. Check that all videos are still available. Decide if any content that is hidden from students should still be hidden. Check the "Unused Files" link in the 3 dots menu just to the left of Course Faculty. 

Use the "Batch Edit" tool (in the 3 dots menu just to the left of Course Faculty) to "Edit Dates" to reflect the new semester.  Make sure the dates in your Concourse syllabus align with all dates in Blackboard. Change any content release dates if you have content that becomes available on a specific date. Double check the Calendar Tool to make sure there are no incorrect dates.

Make sure no exams or quizzes are open to students. Double check the test options and make sure students can see their results when you want them to see them.

Use the Up/Down arrows on the right in the the gradebook (Gradable Items) to order them from top to bottom logically with the flow of the course. If a Weighted Total is being used, verify that it's weighting the appropriate columns, with correct percentages (matching the Concourse Syllabus). Verify that there aren't any columns showing that shouldn't be. Do this before opening to students, and reach out to IDEA Team if uncertain! 

Remove any old posts, start any new threads that you need to.

 Run the Accessibility Report at the top of the Books and Course Tools > "View Course and Institution Tools" to make sure all PDFs are OCRd, files are accessible and there are no major issues to resolve. The Ally tool provides guidance for remediating and re-uploading. Note that for Course Coordinated classes, most readings are already vetted and in a shared library. 

Always use the Announcement tool for whole class important updates. When posting an Announcement, be sure to check the box to "send an email copy to recipients" box. Check/prepare any Announcements (if announcements were copied in from an older version, check the contents and dates). Post a Welcome Announcement to students -  It is ideal if you can send students a welcome Announcement at least 7 days prior to class beginning to let students know when the course will be available and/or anything they need to know for the first day of classes (room number, zoom link, time, books/readings, etc.). 

We highly recommend making your course available as soon as possible, definitely at least a week prior to the start of classes, as students get anxious. The IDEA Team will make all courses available if they are not already, by the first day of classes.