Using WebDAV

Blackboard CE6 supports WebDAV, which allows you to set up local folders for access (upload, download, rename, delete, move, copy) files and folders in your online units without using the CE6 File Manager. You can use familiar methods like: drag-and-drop; click to highlight and then delete or rename; copy/cut and paste, just as you would perform the same actions on local files. You may notice some delays if you are working with multiple or large files, as you are actually transferring files to and from a remote server over your Internet connection.

Note: you will still have to create links, folders and learning modules in Blackboard CE6, and if you have used WebDAV and WebCT 4.1 you should be aware that in CE6 links are affected by File Manager changes, including those made with WebDAV - when you move files the links will be updated, and if you delete files links will be removed.

Setting up WebDAV

Instructions for setting up WebDAV on:

WebDAV on Windows 2000/XP if you use Internet Explorer

  1. Login to Blackboard CE6 and to go your online unit
  2. In the Build tab click File Manager in the Designer tools menu
  3. Click the ActionLink for the File Manager or the folder you want to access using WebDAV
  4. Click Open as Web Folder screenshot
  5. A WebDAV folder will be listed in your My Network Places, and the folder in your online unit will be opened. You can use this folder as you would any other folder on your local or network drives. You may wish to rename the folder in the My Network Places list to identify it with your unit code or name.

WebDAV on Windows 2000/XP if you use another browser

  1. Login to Blackboard CE6 and to go your online unit
  2. In the Build tab click File Manager in the Designer tools menu
  3. Click the ActionLink for the File Manager or the folder you want to access using WebDAV
  4. Click View WebDAV Info screenshot
  5. Copy the folder path by pressing Ctrl+C on your keyboard
  6. Click Ok
  7. From your Windows desktop or My Computer, select and open My Network Places
  8. Click Add Network Place
  9. Follow the prompts in the Add Network Place Wizard
  10. When you are prompted to enter an Internet or network address, paste the folder path by pressing Ctrl+V on your keyboard
  11. When prompted, enter your Blackboard CE6 username and password
  12. Edit the name of the folder to identify it with your online unit code or name
  13. When you click Finish, a WebDAV folder will be listed in your My Network Places, and the folder in your online unit will be opened. You can use this folder as you would any other folder on your local or network drives.

WebDAV on MacOS X using the Finder

Cautionary note: this method results in additional files (with file names starting with a full stop) being created and listed in your folders. To avoid this you may prefer to use a WebDAV client such as Goliath if you use a Mac (see below for instructions).

  1. To identify the path to your online unit files, login to Blackboard CE6 and go to your online unit
  2. In the Build tab click File Manager in the Designer tools menu
  3. Click the ActionLink for the File Manager or the folder you want to access using WebDAV
  4. Click View WebDAV Infoscreenshot
  5. Copy the folder path by pressing Command+C on your keyboard
  6. Click Ok
  7. From your Mac desktop, from the Finder click Go
  8. Click Connect to server
  9. In the Address box paste the folder path by pressing Command+V on your keyboard
  10. Click Connect
  11. When prompted, enter your Blackboard CE6 username and password
  12. A WebDAV folder for your unit will now be mounted on your desktop and opened. You can use this folder as you would any other folder on your local or network drives.

WebDAV using a WebDAV client

If you are using MacOS 9, or wish to avoid creating the additional files mentioned above, you will need to use a WebDAV client such as Macromedia's Dreamweaver or the freeware Goliath (click the links for more information on these).

  1. To identify the path to your online unit files, login to Blackboard CE6 and go to your online unit
  2. In the Build tab click File Manager in the Designer tools menu
  3. Click the ActionLink for the File Manager or the folder you want to access using WebDAV
  4. Click View WebDAV Infoscreenshot
  5. Copy the folder path by pressing Command+C on your keyboard
  6. Click Ok
  7. Paste this path into the client when prompted.

If you have installed the Goliath client:

  1. Go to the File menu and click New WebDAV Connection
  2. Paste the folder path in the URL field
  3. Select Advanced Settings and click the checkbox to Disable encoding of Macintosh resources
  4. Type your username and password in the fields provided. Click OK
  5. From the File menu, click Save Connection as.. and name the connection with your unit code or name
  6. A WebDAV folder for your unit will now be mounted on your desktop and opened. You can use this folder as you would any other folder on your local or network drives.