NOTE: Since Fall 2004, OIT has auto-created Bb course "shells" for every class in the UMBC Schedule of Classes. By default, each Bb shell is "unavailable" to students until the instructor of record turns it on, though the instructor can continue to develop an unavailable Bb course.

Duration is a setting that allows the instructor/manager to control user access to a course based on dates. By default, all courses created in the auto-create process have their duration dates set to expire 30 days after the last day of classes. This can be changed by instructors if need be.

1. To make the course available, see below.
2. To change duration dates

From the course Control Panel, under "Course Options", click Settings

Click the Course Availability option (first option in the list) in the Settings menu.

Click Yes, then be sure to click Submit.

From the course Control Panel, under "Course Options", click Settings

Click "Course Duration".

Select "Continuous" if you don't want the duration to take affect using the provided dates. NOTE: This means users will have access until the instructor/manager makes the course or community "Unavailable".

Use "Select Dates", on by default in auto-created courses, to set dates that you want the users to have access. After the end date, the course will access turn off even though the course is still "Available" (see above).

When you have finished, click "Submit" and the settings will take affect.