1. Teaching and Learning with Blackboard
  2. Course Migration
  3. Exporting a Course

Exporting a Course

Course Exports are backups of your course materials as a .zip package that you can save and store outside of Blackboard. The export includes all of the course content, such as files, Assignments, and Tests, but does not include any student records, grades, or submissions. The export package can later be imported into Blackboard and used to teach another course with the same material.

If you need to retain student records from the course, you should download the Grade Center as a spreadsheet or create a course archive.

Course Export in Original Course View

Screenshot highlighting the process to export a course

Export Your Course

  1. In the Control Panel of the course you wish to export, click Packages and Utilities
  2. Click Export/Archive Course
  3. Click the Export Package button in the toolbar
  4. You will need to wait for the export to be processed. You should receive an email to your faculty/staff email address when it is ready
  5. Return to the Export/Archive Course page and click the link for the .zip package to download it to your computer

Note: It is important to keep the Export package intact, i.e., not unzipped, or any files removed it; otherwise the package will not be imported correctly later on.

Once you have exported your course, you may want to store the .zip file in Microsoft OneDrive so that it is backed up and accessible to you from any computer. This is safer than storing it on your NIU or home computer.

Course Export in Ultra Course View

Status: Available

In the Ultra Course View, the following course items are automatically included in a Course Export:

  • Course content, including Files, Documents, Folders, and Learning Modules
  • Assessments, including Assignments and Tests
  • Rubrics associated to assignments
  • Calendar events, including office hours and course schedule
  • Discussions
  • Gradebook settings
  • Manual gradebook items
  • Goals alignments
  • Course announcements

Export Your Course

  1. On the Course Content page, click the three dots (...) on the right side above the content list
  2. Click Export Course Package
  3. In the pop-up message, click No to exclude student activity data from the export 
  4. When the export process is complete, the .zip file appears in the panel; click the .zip file to download it

Note:  It is important to keep the Export package intact, i.e., not unzipped, or any files removed it; otherwise the package will not be imported correctly later on.

Once you have exported your course, you may want to store the .zip file in Microsoft OneDrive so that it is backed up and accessible to you from any computer. This is safer than storing it on your NIU or home computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to export a Blackboard course?

To export a Blackboard course:

  1. In the course that you'd like to export, click Packages and Utilities in the Control Panel, then click Export/Archive Course
  2. Click the Export Package button
  3. Under the Course Files Default Directory, leave the default Copy links and include copies of the files in the course default directory selected
  4. Under Select Course Materials check the boxes for all the materials and tool settings you'd like to Export. It is recommended to check all the boxes, even if you didn't use some of the tools in your course, so that you have a complete Export
  5. Click the Submit button

This will cue the export process. Once the export is ready for you to download, you will receive an email. Once you receive the email, you'll need to go back to the course you are exporting to the Packages and Utilities > Export/Archive Course area and then click on the link of the export file that is displayed and save the file to your computer.

How do I put my exported or archived course back into Blackboard?

To load an exported course, use the Import Package feature.

  1. In the Control Panel, click Packages and Utilities
  2. Click Import Package/View Logs
  3. Click the Browse button and select the zip file of the archived or exported course to be imported
  4. Click the checkbox next to any course materials that should be imported
  5. Click the Submit button

You are not able to restore a course archive directly into a course. Open a ticket with the Division of IT to request that they restore the archive for you.


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Get Help

Technical Support and Student Help

Division of IT Service Desk

815-753-8100
servicedesk@niu.edu

Teaching Support and Faculty Help

Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

815-753-0595
citl@niu.edu

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