Digital Drop Box

The Digital Drop Box is a tool that allows students to securely submit files to the instructor via Blackboard, rather than through email. Files sent to the instructor via the Digital Drop Box are time stamped and are not viewable by other students. In addition, the instructor can send files to a student or students in the same secure and private fashion. The Drop Box works by uploading a file from a disk or a computer to the Blackboard server where it is stored until removed.

Note:Instructors should consider using the Add Assignment feature instead of the Digital Drop Box because Add Assignment extends the basic Digital Drop Box functionality by tracking the uploaded document to the Gradebook. In addition, the Add Assignment feature allow the instructor to input comments or feedback regarding the uploaded document that only the individual student can view.

Note: There is no file management utility for the Digital Drop Box. The instructor only has one big directory for the entire course. If you exchange electronic documents on a regular basis with your class, you might have to do some manual archiving of student work to keep the directory manageable.

From the Control Panel:

Note:This is a two-step process that must be done in order for the file to be properly submitted.

Add File

1.Click on Digital Drop Box in the Course Tools section.

2.Click on Add File.

3.Name the File.

4.Click Browse then select the file you want to upload.

5.Type in any Comments.

6.Click Submit.

Send File

  1. Click on SendFile.
  2. Select Usersby clicking on the name (s) of the users you want to access the file.
  3. Name the File.
  4. Click Browseand Select the File you want to send or Upload a New File.
  5. Type in any Comments.
  6. Click Submit.

Questions and Answers:

Q: Why should I even use the Digital Drop Box if there is a file exchange feature in the Content Area (Add Assignment)?
A: If you want to exchange files with your students for review and not for a grade, then you may want to utilize Digital Drop Box or if students want to use it as a storage area.

Q: Students have told me that they have submitted their file in the Digital Drop Box on time, but I can not see it in my Digital Drop Box.
A: It is a common mistake for students to click on the Add File button instead of the Send File button. Although there is a warning message that the file will not be sent to the instructor, students can make this mistake.

Q: A student sent me a file I have read, but now when I look at it (same name) the file is different, why?
A: When a users uploads a file into the Digital Drop Box name "homework.doc" and then three days later updates it and uploads the file again "homework.doc", the file "homework.doc" will be saved over, removing the original file. You can see the new date and time stamp on the file, but you have lost the original. It would be a good idea to tell your students to name each version differently (ex: homework1_10.doc, homework1_13.doc).