A content item is any type of file, text, image, or link that appears in a content area, learning module, lesson plan, or folder. Your instructors add different types of content to these course areas.
Different types of content appear in a content area. Many types of content allow your instructor to add a description and set options, such as availability and date restrictions.
Each institution can select a different set of icons so your courses may look different.
ToolA shortcut to a specific tool in your course, such as the discussion board, blogs, or groups. Alternatively, if the the Tools link appears on the course menu, access all available tools from the Tools page.
| Content Type | Description | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Item | A general piece of content, such as a file, image, or text. Your instructor can include a description and attach files, images, video, audio, or mashups. |
| File | An HTML file viewed as a page within your course or as a separate piece of content in a separate browser window. | |
| Audio | An audio file can play when you open the page and continue to play until you stop it or navigate away from the page. | |
| Image | Image file shown on the page. | |
| Video | A video player appears directly on the page for viewing the video. | |
| URL | A link to a website or resource to provide a quick access point to relevant materials. | |
| Learning module | A set of content that focuses on a specific subject with its own navigation. Your instructor can include all types of content, such as text, images, multimedia, assignments, and tests. To learn more, see Learning Modules. | |
| Lesson plan | A lesson plan is a special type of content container that combines information about the lesson itself with the content items. To learn more, see Lesson Plans. | |
| Syllabus | A syllabus contains course information, objectives, instructor contact information, assignments, class meeting dates, and textbook information. | |
| Course link | A shortcut to an item, tool, or area in a course for quick access to relevant materials. | |
| Content folder | A content folder is a way of organizing content items. Content folders and subfolders set up a hierarchy to group related material together, such as “Week 1 Case Studies” inside the Week 1 content area. Folders makes materials easier to find and reduces scrolling. | |
| Blank page | Click the title to see the content. No description appears, which reduces the amount of scrolling and streamlines the appearance of the course area. |
Content Availability
Instructors can limit the availability of content items based on date, time, individual users, course groups, and performance on graded items. This means that the content you see on the course menu or in content areas can change over time.
For example, your instructor restricts access to a piece of content until you complete a unit test. The content appears after you complete the test. Your instructor can add further settings such as only making the item appear after you complete the test and score at least 70 percent.
If you have questions about content that your instructor mentions is available that you don’t see, make sure to ask if it is available to everyone or to some based on specific criteria.
Review Status
Review status allows your instructor to track interaction with specific content items. Review status sometimes affects the release of additional content.
For example, your instructor enables review status for an article added to a content area and made the release of a quiz contingent upon you reviewing the article. After you mark the article reviewed, the quiz appears.
A Mark Reviewed option appears with the item. After reviewing the item, click the option to mark it as Reviewed.
You can switch between Reviewed and Mark Reviewed. Use this option if you want to go back to a content item and review it again. Your instructor only views the current setting. If the item is marked Reviewed, then switched to Mark Review, your instructor does not see that the item was marked Reviewed at any time.