How to Create and Use Reusable Objects

The creation of reusable objects enables you to reuse and share course elements stored in the Content Collection. You can create them quickly, and they are categorized for ease of use. You can add reusable objects to several areas of your course.

• Creating Reusable Objects
• Viewing Reusable Objects in the Learning Objects Catalog
• Allowing Others to Use your Reusable Objects
• Adding Reusable Content to your Course
• Editing and Deleting Reusable Objects

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Create and Use Reusable Objects
 

Creating Reusable Objects

1. Click the Content Collection tab and use the left-hand navigation menu to find the folder that you want to create the reusable object in. You will probably want to store it in a Course Content folder.
   
   
    
2. From the menu bar, point to Build and select the type of object you want to create. To learn more about the types of objects, see Reusable Object Types.
   
    
3. Type a name for the object. This will be the file name in the Content Collection.
4. Type the content of the object in the Content box. The Content Editor allows you to format the text and include files, images, web links, and multimedia. The files you upload from your computer are saved in the Content Collection in the same folder.
   
    
   Please Note:  If the Content options are hidden, click the ellipsis icon in top-right corner of the editor to expand the menu. Note that the Content Editor is not available for External Links.
5. Select your Options and click Submit.
   
    
6. The reusable object will appear in the selected Content Collection folder as a .html file.
   
    

Viewing Reusable Objects in the Learning Objects Catalog

In the learning objects catalog, you can view the entire collection of reusable objects that you created and those shared with you by other users at your institution.

1. Click the Content Collection tab.
   
    
2. In the left navigation menu, click the arrows to expand Jump To... > Learning Objects.
   
    
3. Click View Catalog.
   
    
4. In the Browse Reusable Objects section, you can view the categories of reusable objects. Expand a category to see a list of reusable objects except external links.
   
    

Allowing Others to Use your Reusable Objects

To share reusable objects in the Content Collection, set permissions for an individual reusable object or its folder. You can select which users or groups have access to the item or folder and determine whether they have Read, Write, Remove, or Manage access.

The following table describes the privileges for each type of permission.

 

Assign permissions for individual users

1. In the Content Collection, find the folder or file you want to assign permissions to.
2. Click the Permissions icon by the file or folder.
   
    
3. Click Select Specific Users from the menu bar.
   
    
4. Enter user names, separated by commas, for the people you want to change permissions for or click Browse.
   1. If you choose to Browse, enter your search in the Search For box and click Search.
      
       
   2. Select the check boxes next to the appropriate users and click Submit.
5. Select the check boxes for the appropriate permissions.
   
    
6. Click Submit at the bottom of the page.
    

Assign permissions to groups of users

When you set permissions for a group, the options vary depending on the group you select. This example will demonstrate selecting all members of a course.

1. Open the Content Collection and go to the folder or file you want to assign permissions for.
2. Click the Permissions icon for that folder or file.
   
    
3. Click Select Specific Users by Place from the menu bar and select a group type from the drop-down list. Course Group is used for this example.
   
    
4. Select the Course Groups and Permissions you want to set for those groups.
   
    
5. Click Submit at the bottom of the page.
    

Adding Reusable Content to your Course

Making reusable objects visible

First, you may need to change a course setting to allow you to see reusable content.

1. In the course's Control Panel, go to Customization > Properties.
   
    
2. Under Course Files, select Display all Content Collection options.
   
    
3. Click Submit.

Adding reusable content to a course

1. Access a content area in your course.
2. Click Discover Content.
   
    
3. Select a reusable object type, then click Go:
   
    
4. Select the item you want to add, then click Submit.
   
    
5. Enter a name and other information for the reusable object, then click Submit.
   

You reusable object should now appear in the content area at the bottom of the page.
 

Editing and Deleting Reusable Objects

If you edit a reusable object in the Content Collection, the changes will NOT affect the links in your courses. They will only affect future links. However, if you update a file attachment in the Content Collection using Overwrite, the changes will take place in your courses as long as it is the same type of file and file name (i.e. JPG, DOC, etc.).

If you delete a reusable object from the link in your course, it will still be in the Content Collection. If you delete a reusable object from the Content Collection and it is linked in your course, that link will be broken.

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