Advanced File Upload

If you find dragging and dropping awkward, or if you need to access files from places other than your attached drives (e.g. Dropbox, Wikimedia, Google Drive, Flikr, OneDrive) then follow the instructions below.

  1. Log into ACORN and enter your course.
  2. Near the top right corner of the window, click on the gear icon (view image) and select Turn editing on (view image).
  3. Click on the Add an activity or resource link in the appropriate week or topic, select File under RESOURCES, then click on the Add button.
  4. Type in a Name - this is the link that the students will click on to access the resource.
  5. Type in a Description - this is not necessary, but you can also click in the Display description on course page box if you would like the description to be displayed on the course page just below the link to the file.
  6. There are multiple ways to upload a file.
    • Drag-and-drop your file into the Content box.
    • If you would prefer not to use the drag-and-drop feature, click on the Add... button. This will open a new window with various options. If you have already uploaded any files to the server they will be listed when you click on the Private files link.
      • If you have already uploaded your file, use the following instructions:
        • After selecting the file you want by clicking on the icon, you will be asked if you want to Make a copy of the file or just Create an alias/shortcut to the file.
        • You can change the name of the file in the Save as: box.
        • You can change the name of the "Author' of the file or leave it as is.
        • The Choose license drop-down menu allows you to assign a type of license to the file.
        • When you are finished, click on the Select this file button.
      • If you have not yet uploaded your file, use the following instructions:
        • Click on the Upload a file link.
        • Click on the Browse... button.
        • Browse to and select your file, then click on the Open button.
        • You can change the name of the file in the Save as: box.
        • You can change the name of the "Author' of the file or leave it as is.
        • The Choose license drop-down menu allows you to assign a type of license to the file.
        • When you are finished, click on the Upload this file button.
  7. In the Options section, you can make the following changes:
    • Display:
      • Automatic will pick the best display option for the chosen file.
      • Embed will display the file within the page below the navigation bar with the file description(s).
      • Force download prompts the user to download the file.
      • Open will display the file only in the browser window.
      • * In pop-up is one of the safer choices. It displays the file in a new window with no menus and no address bar. (You can change the dimensions of the In pop-up window using the Popup width (in pixels) and Popup height (in pixels) settings found under Advanced options.)
      • In frame displays the file within a frame below the navigation bar and file description. If you click on Show more... you can set the dimensions of the pop-up window.
    • * Show size will display the size of the file. This may be useful to off-campus students.
    • * Show type will display the type of file (if known) beside the link. This may be useful to off-campus students.
    • You can also display the Resource name and Resource description by checking the appropriate boxes.
    • Under Common module settings, you can Show (default) or Hide the file. This can be useful for preparing in advance without letting the students see the resource.
    • Under Restrict access you are able to set restrictions on when the resource may be seen (e.g. between 2 dates or after a certain grade has been obtained).
  8. When you are done, click on the Save and return to course button, or Save and display if you wish to see the resource now.