Manage Groups - File Exchange

Manage Groups - File Exchange

  1. On your computer, make sure the file name of the document you wish to upload contains only letters and numbers. The file name can contain no special characters except for underscores ( _ ), no spaces, and only one period before the file extension (such as tech101syllabus.doc)
    • Mac users: Please remember to add a .doc to the end of your syllabus' file name.Word 2007 users: Some students may not be able to open syllabus files saved in the new .docx file format used by Microsoft Word 2007. To make your syllabus accessible to all students, you may want to save your syllabus in a more universal file format by opening the file in Microsoft Word 2007, clicking on the Office logo in the upper left corner of the page, choosing Save As, and either
      • Choosing Word 97-2003 Format...; or
      • Choosing PDF or XPs... and saving your Word 2007 document as a PDF.
  2. Log into BeachBoard at https://beachboard.csulb.edu/.
  3. Under My Courses, click the name of the course in which you would like to add a file to a group.
  4. Under Tools, click the Communication link.
  5. Click the Group Pages link.
  6. Click on the Name of the Group in which you would like to add a file.
  7. Click the File Exchange link.
  8. Click the Add File icon. Add File icon
  9. Type a Name for your file in the Name field.
  10. To the right of the words File, click the Browse button. This opens a Choose file pop-up window.
  11. Find your file on your computer to attach.
  12. Click Submit.
  13. Once you click submit, BeachBoard will show you a receipt. Click OK to return to the File Exchange page, where you will see your new file posted.
Note: Repeat this process for each file you would like to post.

More Information

Q: What kinds of documents can I upload to BeachBoard?
A: You can upload just about any file type to BeachBoard. However, the type of document you upload affects how your students can view it. If you upload documents you created and saved in specific software programs such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, your students must have that particular software installed on their computers to view those documents. For example, if you upload a Microsoft PowerPoint document, your students will have to download and open the file in PowerPoint or the PowerPoint viewer. However, if you save and upload your files as HTML (.htm), your students can view the documents within BeachBoard.

Q: Should I save and upload my files as HTML?
A: It is completely up to you. Uploading HTML documents [web pages] to BeachBoard lets your students access the information within the BeachBoard framework. This is preferable for course information and documents such as assignment instructions and timelines that students may need to check often. When you want to upload bigger files, or files such as templates or forms that need to be modified or copied, leave the document in its original format.

Q: Does BeachBoard automatically check files for viruses?
A: No, the BeachBoard server does not check for viruses. You should have a virus protection program on your personal computer. You can request virus protection software from your college tech. You should protect your computer from documents you download within BeachBoard and from documents you download from the Internet.

Q: How fast (or slow) will my students download my files?
A: Download time will vary based on Internet traffic and connection speed. You should keep your files small enough so your students with slower connections can access them in a reasonable amount of time. If you cannot keep the file size down, use the field in the Add Item area to provide your student with information describing what the file is, how large it is, and why it is important that they view it. Notifying your students of this information will let them know that they should wait a little longer for the file.