Customize Background Images

This page will show you how to use any image as the background when using the Haystack version of Online Learning's accessible course template. This version of the template is affectionately known as "Haystack." That's because the default background image used on all pages is of Haystack Rock. But you can switch that image to one of your choosing.

Each folder in your file structure has an image called background.jpg. The template html pages are told to look for that file to use as the background image. So you can change any background image by replacing the file with another image, as long as it is named background.jpg.

Customize Background Images

1. Prepare your new image file. Save it as background.jpg (Recommended width of image is approx 1000 to 1200px. Be sure to resize any large images to this smaller size.)
2. In your Blackboard course management menu, click Files, then click the course ID below
3. Navigate to the folder where you want to update the background image. For example, if you want to change the background for Lesson 4, navigate to my_course_files -> week04
4. Hover over the Upload button above the directory listing, then click Upload Files
5. Click Browse My Computer and locate the new background.jpg file
6. Check the box that says, "If selected, the system automatically overwrites the existing file with the same name."
7. Click Submit at the bottom right
8. Visit a template page in that lesson to confirm the updated background image. It may be necessary to clear your cache and/or refresh the page before the new image appears.
9. Repeat this process for each lesson folder whose background you want to customize.

Where to Find Images

Many sites provide images for free use, as long as you attribute the image according to their requirements. A few of these sites are listed below. Beware of sponsored links and "premium" content that needs to be purchased.

• Pixabay
• Freepik
• Pexels
• Vecteezy
• Unsplash

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