How to batch download copies of files posted in Blackboard since 2012

Lindsey created a document that helps instructors migrate their own content from Blackboard course sites to Canvas. However, what do you do if you just want a copy of a file you used in the past but you don’t want to migrate it into Canvas? Well, until June 30, 2017, you can go in and retrieve the file yourself.  However, after June 30 when we no longer have access to Blackboard, the only way to access Blackboard files will be to contact the ATC TTL team for assistance. Thus, we are encouraging faculty to think about what content they might need and grab it while they still have access by following the instructions below.

Note: not seeing content for the course you need? Contact canvashelp@wpi.edu to request that an archived site be made visible to you again. Be sure to let us know the course, course number, section, and term/year it was taught in your request.

1. Navigate to the Content Collection tab when logged in to Blackboard.
   
2. Click Course Content (on the left).
   
   
3. Your available courses will appear organized in folders. Click the ID of a course folder that has a size greater than 0mb (it is safe to assume that 0mb courses ended up being cancelled as they contain no content/files).
   
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Show All paging button.
   
5. Once the page reloads (sometimes it can take a few minutes), scroll to the top and click the checkbox at the top left next to File Type. This will check off all the files and folders contained within the course. If you only want to download certain files, check off the ones that you need and leave the remaining files unchecked.
   
6. Once all checkboxes are selected, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Download Package.
   
7. Your browser will prompt you what to do with the file. In the screenshot below, Internet Explorer is used to Save As. Other browsers may download the zipped file automatically to your default downloads folder without prompting.
   
8. Repeat Steps 1-7 for each course you need.

Want to print these instructions out? Download a PDF version here: DownloadingBb9Files.