• Group File Exchange allows instructor-defined groups to share files in a central location.
  • Pros:
     - There is no limit on file size
     - Instructor can set it up on her own
     - Groups can be configured/reconfigured at any time
     - Users can associate a text description with each file
     - Instructions, below, are the same for Mac and PC users
     - Instructor can monitor usage stats in Blackboard
  • Cons:
     - Online Blackboard manual does not have help for group file exchange
     - User must download and then upload file for every change
   
•  A Dragon share is a shared directory on the file server, Dragon.
  • Pros:
     - Because multiple files can be copied at once, Dragon is less tedious than Blackboard when there are many files to be up- or downloaded
     - Users can work on files directly on the server
  • Cons:
     
  - Faculty need to contact their academic computing manager about setting up a share, which is best done after drop-add. Class list changes must be handled through the ACM
    - The class needs to agree on a  naming convention to keep files and subdirectories organized
   - Different instruction for Mac and PC. See below or instructions 

Instructions for Blackboard Group File Exchange
For instructors
1. From the Control Panel, select Manage Groups and Add a Group. You will be returned to the Manage Groups page.
2. Click the Modify button next to your new group.
3. Select Add Users to Group. Members of the class may be entered all at once, or one at a time to create selective groups.

For instructors and students
Once the group has been set up, you can add documents. Everyone in the group has full permissions to edit or delete any file. 
1. Log into Blackboard. Go to Communications/Group Pages/File Exchange
2. Click on Add File, and then browse your local hard disk for the file to be uploaded.

Instructions for Dragon share
For instructors and students
Windows
1. Right click on the My Computer icon on the desktop
2. Select Map Network Drive
3. Pick a drive letter that has not been assigned (e.g., U:)
4. Enter \\dragon\share_name for the folder. (e.g., \\dragon\musc304)
    Note that you must use "back-slashes" (\). Forward-slashes don't work.
5. When the Logon window appears type wesleyan\username in the Username field. Unless you have changed it, your default password is your 6-digit date of birth (mmddyy). If you have a problem with your Dragon password, see the Help Desk

Mac
From the Finder menu bar select Go/Connect to Server. Enter afp://dragon/musc304, substituting the name of your class share for 'musc304.' 

ds 9//04