Why do I need to do this?
When a new course or organisation is created in Blackboard it is always set up as unavailable. On the Courses or Organisations page it will be labelled (Private).
Instructors and other staff can access an unavailable course, but students cannot.
This is quite deliberate. It prevents students being frustrated by being given access to empty course spaces. It prevents students from accessing incomplete or out-of-date course sites which you are still in the process of developing. It also gives lecturing staff control over what students can see, and when.
This guide will show you how to make a course or organisation available, so that students are able to access it.
How to do it
From the Courses or Organisations page
Courses
On the Courses page, in the ‘more options menu’ for a course, select Open Course.
Organisations
On the Organisations page, in the ‘more options menu’ for an organisation, select Open Organisation.
From inside a Course or Organisation
On the left-hand menu of your course or organisation you will see a padlock icon, with the message ‘course is private: Students can’t access this course’.
Click on this link, and you will see a pop-up message.
Click ‘Open Course?’.
The Details & Actions panel will update to show the course is now open.
Students will now be able to access the course or organisation.
Making courses or organisations unavailable to students
Courses
You should always leave courses from previous academic years available to students, so they can re-visit study materials and see their online assignment feedback.
Organisations
When an Organisation is no longer required, you can make it Private or Complete.
Complete will allow access by all particiants and leaders, but leaders cannot edit.
Guide last updated on March 22, 2024
