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My Dundee - Staff: Create and merge modules

Shared modules

A common request from staff who deliver the same module content to different groups of students (e.g. at different levels, with different SITS codes) is whether it is possible to manage these through a single module in My Dundee. We used to deal with these kind of requests by asking Digital and Technology Services (DTS) to set up an enrolment rule as a workaround; however, Blackboard now has the functionality to allow us to set up “parent” and “child” modules.

One module becomes the “parent” and all course content is added and accessed on this page. We will then associate one (or more) “child” modules. The child modules will carry the enrolments onto the parent module page, and there will no longer be a separate module page for the child module.

This means that instructors only have to add and maintain content in the parent module, and all students enrolled on both the parent and child module(s) in SITS can access the content in the parent module in My Dundee.

Common queries

Is this something I can set-up myself?

This is not something instructors currently have access to do. Please complete the Shared Modules form to confirm the parent/child association(s) and the Educational Development team will get this completed for you.

Will students from child modules automatically be added to groups?

All students enrolled on the parent and child module(s) in SITS will show as students on the parent module. They will not automatically be separated into groups. If you want to set up group areas (within the parent module) for the different sets of students, you will need to assign students to groups manually.

What module will the students see?

In their list of modules on My Dundee, students will see the module name and ID that they are enrolled on in SITS (unless the module name has been manually altered by an instructor), but when they enter the module, it will display the content from the parent module

Does the content from the parent module get replicated in the child module?

The content is not actually replicated in the child module(s). Students enrolled on the child module(s) will access the content in the parent module (although for the student, the module name and code will display based on the module they are enrolled on in SITS).

Where do the student submissions appear?

All student submissions will be in the parent module. You could set up separate assignments within the parent module for the different groups of students and name the assignments accordingly. You can also filter your gradebook view based on merged modules. Further information on how to do this can be found on the Blackboard Help: Navigate Grading page (Ultra: Search the Gradebook -> Filter by child courses).

Example

Query from staff member

“I am the module lead for modules ZX31001, ZX41001 and VY41002. These modules cover the same content, and students attend joint lectures, however the different modules will complete different assessments. I want to be able to manage these through one module in My Dundee. I have started to build my content within the module ZX31001.“

Solution

Parent module = ZX31001 (as the content has already started to be added here)

Child module(s) = ZX41001, VY41002

  • All students registered on ZX41001 and VY41002 in SITS will now automatically be added to ZX31001 in My Dundee.
  • Instructors will no longer see ZX41001 or VY41002 in their list of modules.
  • Students on ZX31001 will continue to see this module code (and title) in their list of modules.
  • Students on ZX41001 will continue to see this module code (and title) in their list of modules, however once they enter the module, it will display the content from the ZX31001 module.
  • Students on VY41002 will continue to see this module code (and title) in their list of modules, however once they enter the module, it will display the content from the ZX31001 module.
  • All activity, including announcements, discussion board posts and assignment submissions, will be handled in the ZX31001 module.

Important information

Please read the following before requesting your modules to be merged using the Shared Modules form:

  • Content added to the parent module can be seen and accessed by all students and instructors on all child modules (unless you have set-up conditional release rules).
  • Child modules will become unavailable to instructors once the parent/child association(s) have been completed. Therefore, no changes can be made to the content in the child modules after this point.
  • Active modules, i.e. modules with student submissions, should never be made into a child module of a merge module relationship. If you do make an active module a child module, in particular the following will no longer be available:
    • Assessment submissions
    • Turnitin assignments
    • Discussion forum activity
  • All module leaders must agree and give their permission before merging modules.