What is the Blackboard Content Editor? 

The Blackboard Content Editor appears nearly everywhere you can input text - items, content folders, discussion boards, assignments including test questions, journals, blogs, wikis, and email (only Add content (+) is not present for email). The Blackboard Content Editor is the tool bar just above a text-input field in Blackboard as shown in the image below. This article goes through key features of the Blackboard Content Editor that are essential to be familiar with.

Key features

The "Plus (+)" button

The "Plus (+)" button is perhaps the most essential button to be familiar with in the Content Editor tool bar. When clicking this button, the content tools are broken up into two separate categories Common Tools and Additional Tools. Common Tools include "Insert Local Files" (from local computer) or "Insert from Content Collection" (any file already in your personal content collection OR that of the unit). The list of Additional Tools is significantly longer, at SCU some key Additional Tools to know are: "Add H5P Content", "Add Mediasite Content", "ClickView Video", "MyReadings Section link" and "Youtube Video", however, there are other Additional Tools available which might be relevant to your discipline. 

The "Clear Formatting" button

When copy and pasting content from a Word document into the content editor, it is important always to select "remove formatting" (see image below).

If you forget to remove the formatting or if you are still having issues with the way that the content is displaying there is a button to clear formatting in the content editor as well.

To clear the formatting in the content editor follow the steps below:

Step 1: Select all text

Step 2: Locate and click on the "Remove Formatting" icon in the editor (see image below)

By removing the formatting, you ensure that all content will format according to the content styler. You can find more information about the content stylers in the ISCM Practical Guide.

The "Accessibility Checker"

Another key feature to be aware of is the "Accessibility Checker". This can be utilised during the editing process to enhance the accessibility of content for all students. Common accessibility issues include coloured text and missing alternative text for images. More information around accessibility information: Checking accessibility.

To use the accessibility checker follow the steps below:

Step 1: Click on the accessibility checker button (see image below)

Step 2: If any accessibility issues are present these will be highlighted, use the up and down arrows (see image below) to browse through the errors.

Step 3: Correct the errors either directly in the content editor (for text) or by using the text-input field in the error pop-up window then clicking repair (images).

Other features

"Simple Embed" a YouTube video

In the Content Editor text-input field, it is possible to embed a YouTube video by simply copying the URL Youtube Link from the search bar and pasting it directly into the Blackboard text-input field and pressing enter. This will embed the YouTube video with a thumbnail that the students can then click on to watch.

Find and replace words

The content editor has a "find and replace" feature which makes it possible to search for words and replace them with other words all at once. This can help save time when proofreading content to avoid spelling errors and ensure overall consistency.

Insert computer code sample

In the content editor, it is possible to insert a computer code sample, This may be particularly relevant for IT units. To insert a code sample use the button in the toolbar shown in the image below then select the appropriate programming language. There are a number of different programming languages available including python and C++. 

To use insert a code sample follow the steps below:

Step 1: Click on the code sample button.

Step 2: Select the relevant programming language then type or copy/paste your code and click "save".

This article is adapted from the article "Blackboard: Content Editor" by Columbus State IT. Source: https://td.cscc.edu/TDClient/68/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=443 

Review: https://sites.reading.ac.uk/tel-support/2020/11/05/blackboard-learn-content-editor-2020/