Using the Digital Dropbox in Blackboard

To upload a file into the Digital Dropbox, you will first need to log in to Blackboard at http://courseware.ku.edu/. The username and password for Blackboard is the same as that for your official KU email (without the @ku.edu).

Once you have logged in, you will be taken to the Welcome screen. On the far right of the window you will see a box labeled "My Courses," which includes a list of the classes in which you are enrolled. Click on the course for which you need to turn in the assignment and you will be taken to that course's Blackboard site

To access the Digital Dropbox click on the Course Tools link (see image to the left), which can be found under the colored menu buttons on the far left of the screen. This will open up a large list of tools, among them the Digital Dropbox. Click on the Digital Dropbox link (see image to the right) and you will be taken to the area to upload files. In some cases, your instructor may also provide a colored menu button to allow direct access to the Digital Dropbox.

There are two buttons within the Digital Dropbox. The Add File button is used simply to store files within Blackboard. Files that are added to the Dropbox cannot be accessed by your instructor.

To submit an assignment to an instructor you must use the Send File button. This will open up a window like the one shown below.

Note that the Name blank above is for the name of the assignment not your personal name. Keep in mind that your instructor will not see the name of the file that you are submitting. He/she will only see the name that you enter in the blank show above. As such, you should make sure to name the assignment in such a way that your instructor can easily distinguish what assignment you are submitting.

Picking the file to submit is the same as adding an attachment to an e-mail. Click on the Browse button and find the file that you wish to add. Once you have chosen the file to submit (and entered a comment, if you wish), click the Submit button. You will then get a receipt message saying that the item has been submitted. Click OK and you will be taken back to the area to upload files.

You will now see the file that you have uploaded listed under the Add File and Send File buttons (see image to the left). Notice that the entry shows the name of the file that you entered in the blank and the comment (if you entered one). It also automatically put a date and time stamp on the submission. Your instructor will see this date and time stamp as well, so you will need to make sure to turn your assignment in on time.

To open a file within Blackboard, simply click on the underlined link. If you wish to edit the file, right-click and choose "Save Target As..." from the menu and then select a place to save the file. If you want to resubmit a file, you will have to repeat the process above and make note of the second submission in the comment window. You cannot remove a file that has been submitted.

This web site was created by the staff of the Ermal Garinger Academic Resource Center. All questions and comments should be sent to the webmaster at egarc@ku.edu. Last updated September 18, 2007.