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Digital Drop Box

The Digital Drop Box tool lets you exchange files with your students. The Drop Box works by uploading a file from a disk or a computer to the Blackboard server. Files can be added for review by the user later or sent to individuals within the course.

Note: If you are grading the files or would like to be able to download all the files at once, you should use the Assignment tool in one of the content areas instead of the Digital Drop Box. These files are can be viewed from the Gradebook individually or all at once.

Adding a File

From the Control Panel:

  1. Click on the Digital Drop Box link in the Course Tools section.
  2. Click on the Add File button.
  3. Type the title of the file in the Title field.
  4. Click on the Browse button to find the file you want to add.
    Note: Incorrect file naming can result in the file not uploading to Blackboard correctly. Do not use more than 32 characters in the file name. File names should be typed like:
     - Dog.doc
     - theDogRan.doc
     - thedogran.doc
     - Dog1.doc
  5. Type a description of the file in the Description field.
  6. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on the Submit button.
Sending a File

From the Control Panel:

  1. Click on the Digital Drop Box link in the Course Tools section.
  2. Click on the Send File button.
  3. Choose the users you want to send the file to from the To list.

    4. If you want to send a file that is already in the Digital Drop Box:

  4. Choose the file from the drop-down menu.
  5. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on the Submit button.
          

If you want to send a new file:

    4.   Type the title of the file in the Title field.
    5.   Click on the Browse button to find the file you want to add.

Note: Incorrect file naming can result in the file not uploading to Blackboard correctly. Do not use more than 32 characters in the file name. File names should be typed like:
 - Dog.doc
 - theDogRan.doc
 - thedogran.doc
 - Dog1.doc

    6.   Type a description of the file in the Description field.
    7.   Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click on the Submit button.

Downloading a File from Your Drop Box

From the Control Panel:

  1. Click on the Digital Drop Box link in the Course Tools section.
  2. Click on the Title link of the file and save it to your computer.
    Note: If you are unable to download a file (link) by clicking on it...Depending on the browser (Netscape, IE, Safari, or Firefox) computer (Mac or PC), and mouse you can download it by:
    • Right click on the link: Download to Disk.
    • Right click on the link: Save Link Target As.
    • Right click on the link: Save Link As.
    • Option/ Alt, Left Click : Save Link As.
    • Control, Left Click: Download Link to Disk.
    • Control, Left Click: Save Link As.
More Information

Q: Why should I use the Digital Drop Box if there is a file exchange feature in the Add Assignment tool?
A: The Digital Drop Box lets you exchange files that will not be graded. If you require your students to share files with you for review (not graded), then you should use the Digital Drop Box.

Q: Why can’t I see files that my students say they have turned in on time?
A: Students commonly click on the Add File button instead of the Send File button when sending their files. Although there is a warning message that the file will not be sent to the instructor, students can still make this mistake.

Q: Why does a file a student sent me a couple of days ago look different when I view it now?
A: When students upload files to the Digital Drop Box and upload a file with the same filename at a later date, Blackboard overwrites the original file. If you do not want this to happen, tell your students to name each version differently (ex: homework1_3.doc and homework1_4.doc).