Faculty Resources

When putting links to articles from Iona’s subscription databases into a BlackBoard course it is important that you use the permalink (also called a stable link, durable link, persistent link, permanent link or document link) in order to ensure the link is valid and remains active.  Instructions for finding article permalinks in various databases view the 'Links to Articles in Databases' page.

1. In order to use the permalink in a BlackBoard course, open the 'Content Area' where you want to post the link. Click on the 'Build Content' button and choose 'Item' from the drop down menu.

2. A new screen will appear, with several information fields. The fields marked with an asterisk (*) are the only fields you are required to fill in. 

3. Give the URL a 'Name' of your choosing.

4. Enter a name for your URL into the text editor as shown below where "My permalink" is entered.

5. Highlight the text you entered into the text editor and click on the link icon above.

6. When you click on the link option, a box will appear where you can enter the permalink URL (with proxy prefix) into the "Link Path" and then select "Insert." 

According to Fair Use guidelines, a portion of a copyrighted work is permissible to post to a web page for classroom use - including Blackboard. These guidelines include the copying and pasting of a part or whole of a copyrighted work as well as uploading scanned copies. The way to ensure that you are not in copyright violation while providing more than 10% of an article is to post the permalink to your Blackboard. Students enrolled in the course will have access to the link and can view the material. 

Posting an item to Blackboard does not exempt an instructor from copyright regulations, however, it does allow educators to "stretch" the provisions of fair use. The Blackboard system does this by limiting access to posted materials to registered members of a course, and by limiting the availability of those materials to the active duration of that course.  

With the understanding that access to course materials on Blackboard is limited by registration, the following table provides guidelines as to how materials on BlackBoard should be used:

How Materials in Blackboard Should Be Used