Requesting and using eCore content

NOTE: As of the Spring 2024 semester, eCore content is distributed and updated only in the Ultra format. If you have questions about the new Ultra structure and content, please contact the Faculty Lead for your course.

Requesting eCore content

To request eCore content from Online Learning, first go to the Institution Page in Blackboard. Scroll down to the Faculty Resources area and use the Request eCore Content link to go to the request form. 

The form will give you two options: you can request a Preview course, which is a copy of the eCore master site for the course you've requested; or you can request to have the eCore content added to an Existing course. 

Within five working days, we will either set up your Preview course (and enroll you as an Instructor) or add the eCore content to the existing course.

Using an eCore Preview course

If you've requested an eCore Preview course, you'll see it in your Courses area. The IDs of eCore Preview courses follow the format [LastName]_eCore_Preview_[DISC]_[NUMB]_[SEMESTER]. So if your last name is Smith and you're teaching eCore ENGL 1113 in the Spring 2024 semester, the Course ID will be Smith_eCore_Preview_ENGL_1113_202420. 

Copying an eCore Preview Course to an Existing Course

If you've requested a Preview course, you might decide that you want to use the content in an existing course. 

First, go to your Courses area in Blackboard and make sure that you're enrolled as an instructor in both courses: the eCore Preview course and the existing course you want to copy the eCore content to. 

Prepare Your Existing Course

Your existing course will need to be empty in order for the copy process to work. Make sure there is no content in your existing course. 

1. Convert your course to Ultra

The first time you open your existing course, it will either be in Instructor Choice or Original format with an option to use Ultra. Starting in the Spring 2024 semester, your course will need to be in Ultra format to use new eCore content.

Instructor Choice View 

If the course is in Instructor Choice format, you'll see this popup:

Click the button that says Try the Ultra Course View to convert the course to Ultra. Conversion shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes. The course will close while it's being converted, and you'll need to open it again from your Courses area. To confirm that you want to use Ultra, choose that option by clicking the Use the Ultra course button from the bottom bar that shows when you open the course again. 

Original View

If the course is in Original, you'll see an icon of an orange square with a pencil in it at the top right: 

Click that icon and your course will be converted to Ultra. 

2. Remove the existing content. 

After converting to Ultra, you might have four items in the Course Content area: Information, Faculty Profile, Syllabus Attachment, and Content. 

Delete all four by clicking on the three dots to the right of the item and then choosing Delete from the menu. 

3. Copy from the Preview course to your existing course

Once you've deleted the four content items, you'll see a message that says The course is ready for content. It has an Add Content button. 

Click on the Add Content button, then use the Copy Content option to get started copying your Preview course. 

Copy Content will show you all of the courses that you're an instructor in. Choose your Preview course from the list. Tip: if you have a lot of courses, you can use the Search bar to find the one you want to copy. 

Make sure the right course is showing in the panel on the right-hand side, then click the Start Copy button. 

You'll see a placeholder animation while the content loads.

Once all of it has copied, you'll get an email. 

Now you're all set to begin using your new eCore course!