Blackboard Sites Available by Request

Comparison of Blackboard Site Types

Content Copied Courses

A Content Copied Course is a temporary Blackboard course site used to provide access to content copied or restored from another course.

These sites are typically created in the following situations:

1. Restoring content from an older course

If an instructor needs content from a course that was taught more than two years ago and is no longer available in Blackboard, the course can be restored into a Content Copied Course.

2. Accessing content from another instructor's course

If an instructor needs access to course materials previously developed or taught by another instructor, the content may be copied into a Content Copied Course with permission from either:

• The instructor who previously taught the course, or
• The department chair.

The Content Copied Course can then be made available to the department chair or the new instructor, as appropriate.

Length of time on the Blackboard system: One semester.

Important: Content Copied Courses are deleted at the end of each semester. Instructors should copy it to the term-course or save any needed materials before the course site is removed.

Development Courses

A Development Course is a Blackboard course site used by instructors to develop, organize, and prepare course materials before using them in an academic course.

Development Courses allow instructors to build and modify course content without affecting an active course or enrolled students.

Common uses:

• Creating and organizing course materials for future semesters. 
• Developing assignments, tests, discussions, and other instructional content.
• Preparing or redesigning course content before copying it into an academic course.

Length of time on the Blackboard system: Two years.

Organizations Site

An Organization Site is an online space designed for active groups to share information, communicate, and collaborate outside of regular academic courses.

Organizations function similarly to Blackboard courses and provide many of the same tools, including content, announcements, discussions, assessments, and file sharing.

Related Article: Navigating Organization

Who Can Request a Blackboard Organization?

Blackboard Organizations are available exclusively to NDSU faculty and staff for activities that support the university's academic, administrative, and research missions.

Organizations may be requested for purposes such as:

• Departmental communication and collaboration.
• Faculty and staff groups or committees.
• Research groups and academic initiatives.
• Faculty and staff training or professional development.
• Other university-related academic or administrative activities.

Important:

• Blackboard Organizations are not available for student organizations or student-led groups.
• Blackboard Organization sites are intended for active use, not for storage of documents. Please refer to information below on Blackboard Organization vs. OneDrive vs. Microsoft Teams

Length of time on the Blackboard system: Two years.

Available Tools and Features

Blackboard Organizations provide several tools to support group activities:

Blackboard Organization Roles and Permissions

Blackboard Organizations are managed by designated Organization Leaders. The assigned role determines what each member can do within the organization.

One or more individuals can be assigned the Org Leader with Enroll role to manage membership. Additional individuals can be assigned the Org Leader role as needed.

Blackboard Organization vs. OneDrive vs. Microsoft Teams

Depending on the purpose of your group, OneDrive or Microsoft Teams may be a better alternative to a Blackboard Organization.

• OneDrive: Best suited for storing and sharing files, such as documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Files and folders can be shared with specific individuals, with permissions to view or edit content.
• Microsoft Teams: Ideal for groups that need a shared workspace for file storage, communication, and collaboration. Teams allows members to schedule meetings, communicate through channels, and access shared resources. Team owners can manage membership and permissions, while members can collaborate based on their assigned access.
• Blackboard Organization: Best suited for groups that need an active and structured environment for sharing instructional materials, posting announcements, facilitating discussions, conducting assessments or surveys, and managing other academic or administrative activities.

If your primary need is file storage and sharing, consider OneDrive. If your group also needs meetings, communication, and collaborative file management, Microsoft Teams may be a better fit. For activities that require Blackboard's course-like tools and features, a Blackboard Organization may be more appropriate.

Requesting a Blackboard Site

To request a Development Course, Content Copied Course, or Blackboard Organization, please submit a ticket to the NDSU IT Service Center with a brief description of your needs, the intended purpose of the site, and any preferred site type

Requesting a Blackboard Organization

When submitting a request for a Blackboard Organization, please provide:

• The proposed organization name and purpose.
• The faculty or staff member(s) who will manage the organization.
• The individual(s) who should receive the Org Leader with Enroll role.
• Any additional individuals who should be assigned the Org Leader role.