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ITS Online Learning Support

Customize Course Appearance

With the Customization options in each course's Control Panel (located below the course menu), instructors can change the look and settings for their courses. From adding a course banner to changing the color scheme of the menu, the appearance of any course can look unique. Instructors can also change the course name as it appears in the student's Blackboard course list and modify the course availability through the Customization options.

• Change Course Menu Design: The course menu links can be text or buttons in a variety of color schemes.
• Add a Course Banner: Add an image to the top of the course entry page.
• Set the Course Entry Point: Select which page your students will see when they enter the course site.
• Change the Course Name: Change the course name as it appears in My Courses on the UMKC tab in Blackboard.
• Change Course Availability: Make the course site available or unavailable to students.

NOTE: Edit Mode must be ON in order to make changes to your course site.

If Edit Mode is ON, you will see Edit Mode: ON in the top right of the screen. If Edit Mode is OFF, click OFF to turn it on. To view a course as a student would see it, turn Edit Mode OFF.

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Change Course Menu Design

The course menu can be text or buttons in a variety of color schemes.

1. In the Control Panel menu (below the course menu), click Customization.
2. Click Style.
3. In Section 1: Select Menu Style, select Text or Buttons.
4. Select the color scheme:
   • Text: select a background color and text color.
   • Buttons: click the next to Button Library to access the Button Library. Then select the button type, shape and color.
5. From the Customization page, you can also modify the course entry point and add a banner.
6. Click Submit.

Add a Course Banner

The course banner will be displayed on the course entry point, regardless of which page it is.

1. In the Control Panel menu (below the course menu), click Customization.
2. Click Style.
3. In Section 5: Select Banner, click Browse My Computer.
4. Navigate to the banner on your computer.
5. Click Open.
6. From the Customization page, you can also modify the course menu design and change the course entry point.
7. Click Submit.

Set the Course Entry Point

Select which page your students will see when they enter the course site. If you use a course banner, it will display on the entry page regardless of which page it is.

1. In the Control Panel menu (below the course menu), click Customization.
2. Click Style.
3. In Section 4: Select Course Entry Point, use the dropdown menu to select which page will be the course entry point.
4. From the Customization page, you can also modify the course menu design and add a banner.
5. Click Submit.

NOTE: When the course entry point is changed, the instructor must refresh the browser to see the changes.

Change the Course Name

Change the course name as it appears in My Courses on the UMKC tab in Blackboard.

1. In the Control Panel menu (below the course menu), click Customization.
2. Click Properties.
3. In Section 1: Name and Description, type the new name in the Course Name textbox.
4. Course availability can also be modified on this page.
5. Click Submit.

Change Course Availability

Make the course site available or unavailable to students.

1. In the Control Panel menu (below the course menu), click Customization.
2. Click Properties.
3. In Section 3: Set Availability, select Yes to make the course available to students or No to make it unavailable to students.
4. The course name can also be modified on this page.
5. Click Submit.