Reduce Your Blackboard Footprint

Determine Your Content Folder Size

Checking the Content Folder Size of a Class

Look for Large or Old Files

In your Blackboard course site, click Files under Course Management.  Click on the link to your course folder.  

• Files that have an accessibility indicator next to them are in use in the course site.  

• Files that do not have an accessibility indicator next to them are not in use in the course site.  If you don't need these files,  delete them

  • Ally checks pdf, Word, PPT, Open Office/Libre files, html file, image files (JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BPM, TIFF).

  • EXCEL files are not scanned and will not have indicators. 

Important note that is not in the video.

• Make sure you download a copy of your files before deleting so that you have a copy in case a file gets removed that you need.

Remove Video Files

If you have uploaded videos directly into Blackboard,  you will have a large storage footprint.  Link to videos rather than uploading video files to a course. Upload your videos to Panopto, TCC’s video recording and storage service. View Get Started with Panopto in our Knowledge Base.

Reduce File Sizes 

Microsoft Office Files 

Use the tools available in Microsoft Office to reduce file size for PowerPoint and Word files. The Compress Pictures option is located in the Save As dialogue box, under tools near the Save button. You can also save files as PDFs before uploading, which often makes smaller, read-only versions of the files.

Images 

Use a graphics program to resize images for screen viewing before uploading. You can also use an online service such as http://www.shrinkpictures.com or http://www.picresize.com.

Audio 

Use software to resample or trim audio files to reduce their size.

Delete Outdated Master Sites or Organization Sites

Look for non-credit sites that can be removed to free up space.  Credit sites will be removed according to our established schedule.  Complete the site removal form now!

Updated 4/14/2023