In past years, we have archived all module sites from the past academic year in mid-September. This helped staff and students identify the correct sites to use and avoided clutter. However it also prevented students from accessing past learning materials, feedback, and grades. There were also instances where students lost access to sites that were still running or were unable to access feedback and marks provided in early September. 

As a result, it has been agreed to change our policy so that students have access to all past Blackboard module sites throughout their course lifetime. So while any student who took that module is still enrolled in the course, the corresponding module site will remain available. This will give students access to their past learning materials, feedback and marks. Staff retain control over the visibility of materials in their Blackboard site as per usual. 

To avoid an increasingly long and confusing list of sites, we will be introducing a new Blackboard Sites channel in shuspace soon. This channel will have two tabs – Current Sites and All Sites. Under Current Sites, Blackboard sites for the current (and next) academic year will be listed automatically. Under All Sites, users will find a complete list of all sites, arranged by year. Using the double-chevron symbol next to each site name, users will be able to change whether or not a site shows up in the Current Sites tab, giving users more control over organising and prioritising their Blackboard sites. 

Example Blackboard Sites channel - All Sites tab

Past organisation sites will continue to be deleted in mid-September as in past years, as organisation sites support the specific course needs of a cohort for that year, rather than containing learning materials and feedback.