For Blackboard users, you may have noticed that the “Create File” is missing from the Create Content menu.

As part of the Bettering Learner Engagement Study (BLES) we discovered that the number of files posted to a course had a negative impact on student course performance, especially for students in the lower half of the grade distribution. We initially were surprised, shouldn’t providing more resources lead to better outcomes? After internal discussion, we have arrived at a possible explanation.

When posting files in Blackboard using the “Create File” option, you are posting a file only and there’s no way to providing context for the student. By context I mean, why or when should the student read or use the file, how is the file to be used (is it part of an assignment or just a tool to prep for lab?).

Examples of context are:

• “This article is an optional reading. You might find it useful if you are struggling to understand how to calibrate the spectrometer in lab.”
• “This article is required reading. Read fully and ask questions on the discussion board. It’s critical that you understand the how to use a planimeter  before  completing lab 5.”
• This is a reference for a possible term project. The field of widget sublimation is broad so you’ll need to narrow your topic significantly.”
• “Read this article before Lab 2, you’ll need it when we start using Lenker Rods in part 1.”

Another best practice, title items descriptively, don’t use file names as item names. One problem that occurred using the “Create File” option to add content, was that files were uploaded with the file name as the title. Depending on the file’s source, it might not have a meaningful file name for the students.

By eliminating the “Create File” option, we are encouraging instructors to build in context to help students better utilize the resources that are posted. We believe the guidance provided by providing context will enhance the course performance of students on the lower end of the grade distribution.