What are the Blackboard Repository Shells?
Faculty are automatically added to (2) Blackboard Repository Shells: The Resource Repository and Graphic & Image Repository. The Blackboard Resource Repository provides faculty with access to a variety of resources for use in their course, including self-help resources for students and already-crafted instructions for frequently used tools such as Respondus Lockdown Browser or virtual meeting tools. The Graphic & Image Repository provides a variety of CMU-branded graphics, icon, or module images you can use in your course.
Faculty can find both Repository shells on the Courses tab on the Blackboard homepage, under the “Assorted Dates” section. Search on the word "repository" in the Search Your Courses box to easily locate the shells. If you are still unable to locate the shell, contact the CMU Help Desk and ask to be added to the Resource Repository Shell.
Content in the Resource Repository shells is able to be viewed but cannot be edited or changed. You can copy content from the Repository shell into your Blackboard teaching shell.
To learn more, watch this short Bb Repository Video.
Resources Provided in the Resource Repository Shell
The Repository shell provides a variety of items for both the instructor and the student. Some content items are meant only for instructor use and should not be shared with students. These items are identified by having the word “Instructor” in the title.
The first items we find in the shell are tools commonly used in Blackboard courses. Expanding the tool’s module, we find information provided on the tool for the instructor and the student. The instructor information is meant only for faculty use and should not be shared with students. If you are using these tools in your course and would like to copy this information to your shell, you can.
Also located in the Repository shell is a collection of Self-Help Resources. Adding these resources to your Ultra course would provide students with direct access to study strategies or other materials to support them in the successful completion of graded activities.
Resources Provided in the Graphic & Image Repository Shell
In this repository shell, you will find CMU-branded images and graphics. These add nice aesthetics to your course and provide a consistent experience for students. Pre-created modules with module images are provided for a wide variety of uses. If you are using copyrighted materials in your course, please copy the Course Reserves module provided in the repository to your teaching shell. Course Reserve Librarians know to place copyrighted articles within this module.
Copying Content from the Repository to Your Blackboard Shell
When you have determined which content items you would like to add to your course from the Repository, go to your Blackboard course and determine where you would like these items placed. Should they be within their own Resources Module or within the module where they are being used? Using either the Purple Plus or the 3-dot menu, copy the desired content.
Please note that some items in the Graphic & Image Repository may need to be downloaded (versus copied over) to your computer, then added to your teaching shell.