Import and Link to a File in SPARK

You can add files to your SPARK course by creating links on a content page (i.e., the home page, a folder page) to files that you upload from your computer or to files that you have already imported to SPARK. After the links are created, your students can click on them to read the files within SPARK.

To add files to your course, you can either directly add a file to a content page or import files to use later.

Compatible Files

The following files will display directly within your SPARK course:

• Web pages (.html, .htm, etc.)
• Text files (.txt)
• PDF files (.pdf) (requires the viewer to have Adobe Reader installed)
• Image files (.jpg, .bmp, .gif, etc.)

Other commonly used file types may not be supported by Web browsers or SPARK. Such files include Microsoft Word documents (.doc), Excel spreadsheets (.xls), and Adobe Photoshop layered images (.psd). Typically, users will not be able to view or edit these files unless they download them to their computer and have the appropriate software installed.

Note: Remember not to include spaces, punctuation, or special characters in your file titles.

Add a File to a Content Page

1. On the Build tab of your SPARK course, navigate to the content page (the home page, a folder, or a learning module) where you would like to post the file.
2. Click Add File (top left).
3. From the drop-down menu, click Browse for Files. The Content Browser will open.
4. From the options at left, click the location where the file you are importing is located (i.e., My Files, Repository, Template Manager, Class Files or My Computer). When you click on a location, the screen will change to display the files within that location.
5. If you are importing the file:
   • From your computer, click My Computer. Under Upload Files From Your Computer, click Choose File, locate and select the file you want to import, and click OK.
   • From another SPARK folder (e.g., My Files), navigate to the location of the files and select the check box next to the file (or files) you wish to import and click OK.
6. The file will be imported to your Class Files folder and linked to the content page.

Import Files to Use Later

You can import multiple files at once from your computer for later use. Students will not be able to access these files until you create links to them on content pages (see above).

You may prefer to add files in this manner if you would like to import multiple items at one time, if you are unsure how or if you will use the files in your course, or if you are building a template.

1. To add files to a specific section, use the File Manager. It can be accessed from the Build tab in the Designer Tools menu. To add files to a template or to the My Files folder, use the Content Manager. It can be accessed from the My Blackboard screen on the Content Manager tab.
2. On the File Manager or Content Manager screen, from the options at left, click the folder where you wish to place your file. (By default, the File Manager places files in the Class Files folder; the Content Manager places files in the My Files folder.) Click Get Files. The Get Files pop-up window will open.
3. In the Get Files window, from the options at left, click the location from where you are importing the file (i.e., My Files, Repository, Template Manager, Class Files or My Computer). The Open window will open.
4. In the Open window, navigate to and select the files you want to import and click Open. The [Location] Applet window will open, illustrating the import progress.
5. The files will be imported to the folder you specified earlier.

Note: Depending on what kind of access you have to SPARK (designer vs. instructor), you may only be able to use the File Manager.