Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - Banners
This article explains how faculty can add and customize banners in their Blackboard Ultra courses to enhance the course's visual appeal and branding.
Adding a Banner to Your Blackboard Ultra Course
Banners in Blackboard Ultra courses are a great way to personalize your course and provide visual cues for students. Follow these steps to add a banner:
- Open your Blackboard Ultra course.
- In the course header area, click the pencil icon.
- Select the image icon next to the course image.
- Click Next.
- Upload an image from your computer or drag and drop it into the designated area.
- Adjust the focus of the image by dragging the focus point around the preview. This ensures the most important part of your image is visible.
- Click Save.
- Mark the image as decorative if it provides no additional value.
- Switch the Course Banner toggle to "on" to display the image at the top of the course page.
- Click Save.
Banner Image Specifications and Best Practices
- Recommended Dimensions: While Blackboard does not enforce specific dimensions, a banner size of approximately 1200 x 240 pixels is recommended for optimal display across various devices.
- File Format: Use common image formats such as JPG, PNG, or GIF.
- File Size: Keep the file size relatively small (under 500KB) to ensure fast loading times.
- Content: Avoid including critical information that is only visible in the banner, as it may not be accessible to all students (e.g., those using screen readers).
- Accessibility: Use images with sufficient contrast and avoid overly complex designs that may be distracting. Consider adding alternative text to the image for screen readers if the image conveys important information.
Troubleshooting
Banner Not Displaying Correctly
If your banner image is not displaying correctly, consider the following:
- Image Size: Verify that the image dimensions are within the recommended range.
- Browser Compatibility: Ensure you are using a supported web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and that it is up-to-date.
- Cache: Clear your browser's cache and cookies and try again.
Need Additional Support?
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ITS Help Desk:
- Call: (618) 650-5500
- Email: help@siue.edu
- Visit: Lovejoy Library Room 0005 during regular business hours.
This guide aims to provide useful information, but as technology changes, interfaces or steps might vary. Please use the Comment button to let us know if anything differs from your experience. Your feedback helps us keep this information accurate. Thank you!