Blackboard Content System Passes What is a Pass? A "pass" is a web site address that will open a file in the Blackboard Content System.  The pass can be used by those who have a VCCS Blackboard account as well as those who do not have an account.  A time limit can be set on the pass so that those who receive it can only access the content for a few minutes, days, weeks, or even years, depending on what the content owner decides.  (Once the time limit has been exceeded, an error message will be displayed to those attempting to use the pass.)  The pass can be emailed directly from Blackboard to those who have a VCCS Bb account. Since a Bb account is not needed to access it, a pass can be used for collaboration with users outside the VCCS. For frequently-updated documents, the ability to add a time limit to a pass ensures that recipients will not see outdated copies of a file.  A new pass can be created and sent when the file is revised. Note:  Since a pass can be emailed and then accessed by anyone, consider that the recipient could easily forward the pass to someone else.  Setting a restrictive time limit of a week or a month might help keep the pass to your document from being accidentally forwarded and viewed by unintended users.  Even then, recipients can save copies of the file to their computers so that the content can be accessed after the pass has expired. Examples of Uses Instructors can have course material peer-reviewed by those outside the college for a set period of time.   Conference presenters can provide attendees with temporary access to content.   Advisory committee members who are not part of the VCCS can be given access to relevant materials.   Tutorials Note:  If you do not already have Flash Player installed on your computer, you will need to download it before viewing the animations.  The animations are best viewed at a screen resolution of 1024x768 or higher; if your resolution is 800x600, you will have to scroll to see the entire image.  A control bar at the bottom of the page will allow you to pause, rewind, and replay each animation if needed.  The tutorials should be viewed in order as each builds upon the previous one. Tutorial #9 – Create a Pass      Animation;  Printable Version   Thank you to Southside Virginia Community College's Blackboard Content System Pilot Group members who provided information for and assistance with this project.  Thank you also to Joshua Seigler, (PVCC), Kristy Walker, (RCC), and David Bartos, (JTCC), for their assistance.   Kristen Kelly – kkelly@jtcc.edu John Tyler Community College   Blair Potts – blackboard@southside.edu Southside Virginia Community College