Definitions & Examples
Linking
A hyperlink (or link) is a word, group of words, or image that you can click on to go to another document, website or application.
Streaming
Method of transferring data, particularly audio and video, as a continuous stream. This enables the user to view or listen to content without having to first download it.
Embedding
By embedding content into Blackboard, you are using computer code to make an object that exists outside of your Bb class (video player, image, audio player) visible inside your Bb class.
Persistent Links
A persistent link is a permanent URL to a particular object within an electronic resource that can be saved and used for future reference. Persistent links are also referred to as PURLs, durable links, or stable links.
Types of Content
Articles
Magazine, journal and news articles are available through many of our Library databases. Depending on the database, articles may be indexed but only available as a citation or abstract; or articles may be available as full-text HTML or full-text PDF.
Best Practices
- While many articles can be downloaded as PDFs, consider it best practice to link to full-text articles rather than uploading PDFs to your course.
- Look for the permalink, permanent URL or persistent link to included in your course.
- Hyperlink URLs and select "Open in New Window (blank)" from the Target drop-down menu.
- Include reminder that students will need a valid COD Library Card to access material from off-campus.
Sources
- General Databases such as Academic OneFile and Academic Search Complete
- Subject Databases such as JSTOR, Science Direct, CINAHL and more
- Newspapers such as Chicago Tribune, Newspaper Source and National Newspapers Core
E-books
The Library has about 17,000 academic e-books that can be accessed and read on any device that is connected to the Internet using a web browser. Most of our e-books are also downloadable to read offline.
Best Practices
- Many e-books can only be used/checked-out by one patron at a time-- keep this in mind if you are requiring your students to access an e-book
- While some e-books are available for download (in part or in their entirety), consider it best practice to link to e-books rather than uploading PDFs to your course.
- Look for the permalink, permanent URL or persistent link to included in your course.
- Hyperlink URLs and select "Open in New Window (blank)" from the Target drop-down menu.
- Include reminder that students will need a valid COD Library Card to access material from off-campus.
Sources
- E-book Collections such as Knovel Library, Safari Online, and Humanities (ACLS) E-book Collection
- College of DuPage Library Catalog-- search by topic/keyword and limit your format to e-book for titles available through the Library’s databases
Audio
Primarily available through Alexander Street Press’ Music & Performing Arts collection, the Library’s streaming audio options provide access to nearly 6 million tracks on over 480,000 albums.
Best Practices
- Remember that embedded players may not appear for students until they enable their browsers to display insecure content. Include instructions for enabling content.
- Click here for Internet Explorer instructions
- Click here for Firefox instructions
- Click here for Chrome instructions
- Look for the permalink, permanent URL or persistent link to included in your course.
- Hyperlink URLs and select "Open in New Window (blank)" from the Target drop-down menu.
- Include reminder that students will need a valid COD Library Card to access material from off-campus.
Sources
- Music Online includes Classical Music Library, Smithsonian Global Sound, American Song (including African American Song), Contemporary World Music and Jazz Music Library
- Popular Music Library
includes hundreds of thousands of tracks from major genres in pop music including alternative, country, Christian, electronic, hip-hop, metal, punk, new age, R&B, rock and more.
Video
The Library subscribes to a several collections of films for use online. The Library offers 105 streaming online videos in the areas of philosophy, education, music, careers, and technical education resources. Many collections allow you to create playlists, select clips and embed content.
Sources
- Online Video Databases such as Academic Video Online, Films on Demand, NBC Learn and others.
- Related Content videos from databases such as Academic OneFile
Best Practices
- Remember that embedded players may not appear for students until they enable their browsers to display insecure content. Include instructions for enabling content.
- Click here for Internet Explorer instructions
- Click here for Firefox instructions
- Click here for Chrome instructions
- Look for the permalink, permanent URL or persistent link to included in your course.
- Hyperlink URLs and select "Open in New Window (blank)" from the Target drop-down menu.
- Include reminder that students will need a valid COD Library Card to access material from off-campus.
Images
The Library has selected a comprehensive collection of image databases in a variety of topics for student and faculty use, bearing in mind the copyright restrictions for these open access resources.
Sources
- Image databases such as Camio, CARLI Digital Collections and Saskia Art Images
- Art databases such as Artstor and Oxford Art Online
Best Practices
- Although many image databases allow you to download and save image files, consider it best practice to to link to images rather than uploading image files to your course.
- Generally, do not copy and save images (right-click & “Save Image As”) from online sources.
- Look for the permalink, permanent URL or persistent link to included in your course.
- Hyperlink URLs and select "Open in New Window (blank)" from the Target drop-down menu.
- Include reminder that students will need a valid COD Library Card to access material from off-campus.
Additional Resources
Terms of Use: Learn which databases allow you to upload content freely to Blackboard.