Blackboard Syllabus Upload
As per the STCC faculty contract, all courses regardless of instructional method, must have a Blackboard shell with a posted syllabus. The following instructions take you through the 4 steps for adding a syllabus to your Blackboard course.
1. Login to Blackboard
Start at the STCC Website (https://www.stcc.edu).
At the top of the page, select the eTools drop-down menu.
Select Blackboard. You can also bookmark the Blackboard login page for future use.
Select STCC Account Log In to login with your STCC Username and Password.
After entering your STCC Username and Password, you will be brought to the Institution Page in Blackboard.
See Login Page Instructions for more information.
Need help logging in?
Contact usersupport@stcc.edu or IT Helpdesk on ChatNow.
2. Find Your Course
Select Courses on the Ultra Base Navigation menu.
Select your desired course. You may need to advance to Upcoming Courses to locate a course in a term that has not yet opened to students.
What if:
I do not see my course
My course appears blank, with no course template
Contact online@stcc.edu or Blackboard Support on ChatNow.
3. Choose your File Type
What file type do you want to use for your syllabus? You can start with downloading the Microsoft Word syllabus template or select to Use Template of the Syllabus Template Google Doc. Remember document accessibility when creating your document.
Microsoft Word document
A Word Document can be uploaded from your computer, added from Microsoft OneDrive, or converted from Google Docs. Microsoft Word documents are often the easiest file formats to create. Students need to download the documents to their computers in order to view them, and they are sometimes hard to open on a Chromebook.
PDF Document
PDF documents are created from a Microsoft Word or Google Doc documents. They are easy to print and can be viewed right in the browser of a laptop or Chromebook. PDF's are hard to read on a small screen of a mobile device.
Google Document link
A Google Doc is easy to view in the browser of a laptop, Chromebook, or mobile device. Any changes that you make to your Google Doc are automatically updated without the need to re-upload files. When using Google Docs, make sure to set sharing permissions so that students can access your document.
4a. Upload Syllabus as Microsoft Word or PDF document
In Lecture Course Template the main folder, Syllabus and Course Information, is the first thing students will see when they enter your course. We have provided you with a space to add content called, “Course Information.” You will be able to attach your syllabus here.
Hover over Course Information area.
You will see a downward arrow next to the title of the Item, Course Information.
Click the downward arrow, and select Edit from the menu.
In the Edit Menu, you can add text in the “Text” Content Editor.
Note: You may wish to add text to provide explanation or expectation for your students. If no text is desired, remove the generic text provided in the template.
Scroll to the area labeled, Attachments
To attach files you will need to know where it is located, and add it from there. There are three options:
Select Browse Local Files to attach a file located on your computer.
Select Browse Course Files if there are documents already in the course shell (not likely with brand new shells).
Select Browse Cloud Service to log in to the cloud service such as Google Drive or OneDrive and select the file you want to import
Once you have selected your document from it’s location, click Open.
You will see the item listed on the screen.
If you wish to add additional information such as a course calendar or textbook information, repeat the steps as desired.
When done, click the Submit button to attach.
The screen will refresh and you will see the item text and the attachment linked.
To provide additional information for your students the STCC Lecture Template also has an area for you to add your Faculty Contact Information. Feel free to add your information to that area or delete the placeholder.
4b. Add Google Doc syllabus link
In Lecture Course Template the main folder, Syllabus and Course Information, is the first thing students will see when they enter your course. We have provided you with a space to add content called, “Course Information.” You will be able to link your syllabus here.
Hover over Course Information area.
You will see a downward arrow next to the title of the Item, Course Information.
Click the downward arrow, and select Edit from the menu.
In the Edit Menu, add text in the “Text” Content Editor to indicate that you are linking your syllabus. For example, you may say "See the Syllabus link for the course".
Highlight the words "Syllabus link".
Click on the chainlink button to launch the linking Insert/Edit link menu.
Copy the URL, or web address of your syllabus document (make sure to set sharing permissions so that students can access your document).
Paste the URL in the URL field.
Add a document title. This may be the same as the text to display.
Change the "Open link in" dropdown to "New Window".
Click Save.
If you wish to add additional information such as a course calendar or textbook information, repeat the steps as desired.
When done, click the Submit button to attach.
The screen will refresh and you will see the item text linked to your Google document.
To provide additional information for your students the STCC Lecture Template also has an area for you to add your Faculty Contact Information. Feel free to add your information to that area or delete the placeholder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Am I required to do this?
Yes, this was collectively bargained during the DE and DCE Contract negotiations.
What if I don’t know how to log into Blackboard?
We can support you! There are so many ways that we can help via ChatNow, Zoom, Google Meet, in-person, by phone or by emailing online@stcc.edu.
What do I do if I am just learning this on the first day of classes?
Not to worry! The Course Materials Checklist is not due until after the semester starts. You have time to get help from the Center for Online and Digital Learning.
Where do I submit proof that I have my syllabus in Blackboard?
Information forthcoming.
Who can see my syllabi?
Blackboard is only accessible to the students in your class. It is not a public space. The MCCC DCE and DE contracts have specific provisions as to when an administrator can “enter” your course, and is referenced in the contract excerpt above.
If I teach a lecture and a lab, should I upload a syllabus to each shell?
Yes. All STCC sections must have a syllabus posted.
How do I ensure my course shell is open?
Your course shell will open automatically on the first day of the term and close a week after grades are due.
Need Help?
Contact the Center for Online & Digital Learning (CODL) at digitallearning@stcc.edu or schedule an appointment with an instructional designer: