This new feature will be available from 3rd April 2025. The main source of information will be Blackboard Documents, but files can also be uploaded to the Learning Object Repository. Only System Administrators have the ability to add content to the Learning Object Repository, however Instructors can add items to their courses.
The Learning Object Repository enables the development of a bank of resources which can be reused in any course by any instructor. This is particularly useful for institutional materials such as policies and procedures such as those covering AI usage, misconduct and assessment. If an object in the repository is updated, this is automatically updated in the courses if these are still open. This does not apply to courses which have been completed and closed.
Creating new Learning Object Repository Documents (Systems Administrators)
To add a new Learning Object, Click on Tools on the left-hand panel and click on Learning Object Repository.
The repository window will open:
To create a new object, click the Create button. To edit an existing object, click the ellipses and click Edit. There is a search bar to help locate items at the top.
Updates have included the addition of a date to enable easier location of items
In addition to this, there is now an option to view the associations, the number of courses which use this item. These can be accessed by clicking on the ellipses for an object on the right-hand side and selecting Associations. The object can be deleted from here. An extended message is now displayed highlighting the number of associations which will be affected by the deletion.
For more information on adding content to Documents see the following help page on Structuring Content.
Copying Items into the Learning Object Repository (Systems Administrators)
To copy items which exist in your courses to the Learning Object Repository from your existing courses so that they can be shared, click the ellipses at the top of the screen next to the Create button and choose Copy Item. Navigate to the through the course folder structure to the Document you wish to copy, put a tick in the box next to the item and click Copy. The item will then be copied to the Learning Object Repository.
Please ensure that all objects are clearly labelled so they can easily be found using the search feature.
Using Items from the Learning Object Repository in a Course (Instructors)
To include an item from the Learning Object Repository in a course, click on the purple + sign to add a new item and select Learning Object Repository.
Items are listed in alphabetical order. Tick the items you wish to use, these will appear on the right-hand side of the screen. When you are finished selecting items, click the Insert Object(s) button at the bottom of the screen.
You can also search for items by typing the name into the search box.
The Document will then be copied into your course. Ensure you check it is available for the students.
Updating Content
If the content item is changed or updated, this will automatically be reflected within courses that use this item.
When content is copied from one course to another, the system will automatically pull in the latest version of each Learning Object Repository object to ensure that new courses always start with the most current materials. As a result, content authors no longer need to manually update Learning Object Repository objects after a course begins.