Resources

From e-Learning Documentation

Last updated: 11-01-2010

Contents 1 Overview 2 Add Folders to Resources 2.1 Edit a Folder 3 Add Files to Resources 3.1 Upload a File 3.2 Create an HTML file 3.3 Edit an HTML File 4 Upload-Download Multiple Resources 5 Add Web Links (URLs) 5.1 Edit a Web Link 6 Move Content 7 Reorder Content

Overview

The Resources tool inside your course can be used in two different ways:

• It can be used as a repository for files used by the Instructor to create the course. Files such an HTML Syllabus and Home Page are stored here and then linked to the appropriate tools. Any images used in the course, such as images in an assessment question, will also be stored here. You can hide the Resources tool from students and just use the Resources to store these files. If you use this option, you will use Lessons to deliver content to students.

NOTE: Hiding the tool from students does not prevent students from accessing the Resources in other ways. You should not store sensitive documents in Resources

• Resources can be the main tool for distributing files to students. If you are not using images in your course, or you do not mind that students see the files, you can organize your content in folders in Resources.

Go | here to read a discussion of the pros and cons of the two options.

Add Folders to Resources

You may create folders to aid in organizing the content you add to Resources. The best practice is to decide on a folder structure for your files before you begin to add files. Though you can easily move files to different folders, if you have created links in the course to any of those files, the links will break if you move the file.

To create a new folder:

1. Click Resources in the left menu bar.
2. Beside the main folder for your course (will be called 'Name of Course' Resources), click Add
   • Once you have created folders, you may add folders inside those also.
3. Click Create Folders
4. "Folder Name" - enter a name for the folder.
   1. Click Add details for this item if you want to add a description, set special permissions and/or availability dates.
      • "Description" - The description appears to students only if they click "Actions" beside the folder.
      • "Availability and Access" - Who will be able to see this content?
        • By default, all members of this site can see the folder and its contents.
        • Or you may change the folder so that all the content is "publicly viewable." This means that the files are accessible by anyone, not just those enrolled in the course. You may send a link to the files to an outside user and he/she will be able to see the file. The files could be found with an internet search.
        • If you have created groups in your course, a third option will be available to assign this folder and its content to specific group(s). When you choose this option, a list of all your groups appears so that you can choose which one(s) get access to the folder.
      • When will the folder be accessible? Set the dates for when the participants will be able to see the content, OR select "Hide this folder and its contents" to hide this folder from participants. NOTE: If you hide the folder, you cannot link to these files anywhere in the course. Students will get a "403 Error" if you link to a file that is in a hidden folder.
5. Click Add Another Folder or Create Folders Now

Edit a Folder

To change any of the details of the folder, click Actions and Edit Details beside the folder name.

Add Files to Resources

Upload a File

Files uploaded by this method can be no larger than 100 mb. Beside the folder to which you want to upload files:

1. Click Add
2. Click Upload Files
3. Click Choose File
4. Locate the file and double-click it.
5. "Display Name" - You may choose a display name rather than the name of the file. Enter your display name in the box.
   1. Click Show details for this item if you want to add a description, copyright status, set special permission and/or availability dates.
      • "Description" - The description appears to students only if they click "Actions" beside the file.
      • "Availability and Access" - Who will be able to see this file? If the folder to which this file is being added is set to be publicly viewable or hidden, you can't set specific permissions for the files. But if the folder to which this file is being added is left at the default "all members of this site can see the folder and its contents:
        • By default, all members of this site can see the file.
        • Or you may change the file so that all the content is "publicly viewable." This means that the file is accessible by anyone, not just those enrolled in the course. You may send a link to the file to an outside user and he/she will be able to see the file. The file could be found with an internet search.
        • If you have created groups in your course, a third option will be available to assign this file to specific group(s). When you choose this option, a list of all your groups appears so that you can choose which one(s) get access to the file.
      • When will the file be accessible? Set the dates for when the participants will be able to see the file, OR select "Hide this item" to hide this file from participants. NOTE: Folder settings override Files settings!
6. Click Add Another File or Upload Files Now

Create an HTML file

Creating files using the Content Editor within Sakai makes for easy editing of the files in the future. Also, students can view the files online without having to open or save the files. You can also create relative links that won't break when content is moved from one semester to the next. You can quickly cut and paste from MS Word to transfer your Word documents into HTML.

Beside the folder to which you want to upload files:

1. Click Add
2. Click Create HTML Page
3. Use the Content Editor to compose your document.
4. Click Continue
5. Provide a Name for the file.
   1. Add description and availability information if desired.
6. Click Finish

Edit an HTML File

To edit an HTML file, click Actions and Edit Content beside the name of the file.

Upload-Download Multiple Resources

The "Upload-Download Multiple Resources" link at the top of the Resources page allows you to set up a Webdav connection in Windows XP machines, and on a MAC as long as the operating system is earlier than Snow Leopard. Both Microsoft and Apple have prevented Webdav creation in their newest operating systems and so you cannot use this option if you are using Windows 7 or Mac Snow Leopard. You may use a third-party software such as "Bitkinex." You can find more information WebDav for Windows 7 | here.

A Webdav is a direct connection between your computer and your course in Sakai. Creating a Webdav allows you to drag files and/or folders to the connection and drop them into the course, uploading large numbers of files at once. You will need to create a Webdav for each course you teach, and also for each computer you use. There is no file size limit on this process, but the 3 gig limit for the Resources is still in place.

Click Upload-Download Multiple Resources for complete instructions.

Add Web Links (URLs)

You can add Web Links as well as files to your Resources.

Beside the folder to which you want to add a Web Link:

1. Click Add
2. Click Add Web Links (URLs)
3. "Web Address (URL)" - Copy the URL from the website that you want to link to and paste it in this box.
4. "Website Name" - Enter a name for this link
   1. Click Add details for this item if you want to add a description, set special permission and/or availability dates.
5. Click Add Another Web Link or Add Web Links Now

Edit a Web Link

To edit a Web Link, click Actions and Edit Content beside the name of the Web Link.

Move Content

You can move files and Web Links into folders and from one folder to another.

To move an individual item:

1. Click Actions and Move beside the name of the item.
2. The "move" icon will appear beside each folder. Click the "move" icon to place the item in that folder.

To move multiple items:

1. Check the box beside each item you want to move and click Move at the top of the screen.
2. The "move" icon will appear beside each folder. Click the "move" icon to place the items in that folder.

Reorder Content

Files, Folders and Web Links are, by default, in alphabetical order. If you want to change the order of those content:

1. Click Actions and Reorder beside the name of the folder you want to reorder.
   1. You may use the up and down arrows in the left margin to move a file where you want it in the list, or
   2. You may use the "Position" column at the far right margin to reorder the entire list. Choose the position number from the drop-down menu for each file in the folder.
2. Click Save

NOTE: You can reorder all files and folder within the root folder, but when your content is moved to the next semester, it will all be back in the original alphabetical order. Content within folders that you've added to the root folder will retain the order you establish. If you use reordering extensively and want to avoid having to re-do it every semester, create a folder called "root" and place all folders and files within that folder.