Blackboard Basics Guide

The Start Here folder is where students can go to learn about the course.  This page is visible during Week Zero so it's the first impression students will have of you and the course. 

The Start Here folder includes:

• Start Here Checklist
• Course Navigation video
• Professor Information
• Course Overview
• Syllabus  
• Syllabus Acknowledgment Activity

Some parts of the folder are standard and do not need to be changed.  You will need to update Professor Information, the Course Overview, and the Syllabus sections.  You can add to the Start Here Checklist if there are other tasks you would like your students to perform at the beginning of the term. 

At Central Penn, the official syllabus for each course is stored in the associated school's Repository.  For example, if you are teaching BUS100 Introduction to Business, access the School of Professional Studies Repository (located on your My Blackboard page in the Organizations module). 

Be sure to check with your director / dean to ensure you are using the most recent version of the syllabus for the course and the most recent standard syllabus template. 

Syllabi are stored as Word documents.  Some parts of the syllabus must remain as is while others will need to be changed.  Please contact your department chair with any questions regarding the syllabus.   

Once you have edited the syllabus you will save it as a PDF since PDF files generally can be opened regardless of the device or operating system being used.  The PDF version of the syllabus is then uploaded to the Syllabus page in Blackboard.  

See the Updating the Start Here Folder guide sheet for more information.