Export/Archive Course Backups

🚩Blackboard Original

As an instructor, it is possible to create zip file back-ups of courses. This is a good option for instructors who would like to preserve data for courses scheduled for deletion. Compressed files can later be imported back into Blackboard if content needs to be accessed.

EXPORT - Use to preserve course materials that will be used again with a new group of students.

Creates a ZIP file course content that that can later be imported as a package into a new course. The export course feature does NOT include any users or user interactions with the course.
Packages can be imported into new course (Course Management > Packages and Utilities > Import Package / View Logs) by instructor

ARCHIVE - Use to maintain record of a course AND user interactions. Not intended for teaching the course again.

Creates a frozen snapshot of a course. An archive includes all the content, course statistics, users, and course interactions, such as blog posts, discussions, attendance data, and grades.
Requires Blackboard administrator help to restore course.

Additional details about archiving and exporting available on the Blackboard Help Page

Steps to download Archive or Export .zip

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Do NOT unzip a course package once downloaded. Only zipped files can be imported.

🏴Blackboard Ultra

Export/Archive Course in Ultra

You can export your course content for use in the future. This content is included in an export/archive package:

Course content
Rubrics associated to assignments
Calendar events, including office hours and course schedule
Discussions
Gradebook settings
Manual gradebook items
Goals alignments
Attendance for archives only
Course announcements

On the Course Content page, open the menu on the right side above the content list. Select Export Course Package.

Student activity data includes assignment submissions, grades, attendance data, and discussion posts. Even if you choose to include student enrollment and data, that information isn't added to another Ultra course if you choose to import the content. Administrators can restore an archive package and all student enrollment and data will be intact.

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User created export and archive packages will expire and auto-delete 30 days after the creation date. You will be notified of the expiration when they create, download, and in the course package list view for the course.

When the export or archive package is ready, the ZIP file appears. Select the file name to download the package to your computer.

Export and archive packages are downloaded as compressed ZIP files and are imported or restored in the same format. Don't unzip a package or delete files from the package, as then the contents can't be imported correctly.

If you want to share your course content with other instructors, you can send them the ZIP file. Instructors can import the ZIP file into one of their courses or an administrator can restore an archive package. All content is hidden from students so that you or another instructor can set visibility.