Blackboard FAQ: Gradebook

How do I use the Gradebook?
When I create an assessment, do I need to enter those grades in the gradebook?
Is there a way to display my grades other than by number?
What would you suggest for keeping track of attendance on the gradebook?
Is there a way to display more than 25 students at a time?
Is there a way to have grades display in a certain order?
How do I view survey results?
Why are my students seeing a check mark in their gradebook?
How do I Sort my Gradebook?
Using extra credit, is there a way to default the column not to add into the overall points, but to include the score anyway?

How do I use the Gradebook?

The gradebook allows instructors to immediately give grade feedback to students via the web. For step by step instructions on navigating to the gradebook, adding an item to the gradebook, and entering grades to the gradebook visit the Blackboard Software Guide.

When I create an assessment, do I need to enter those grades in the gradebook?

Once you deploy an assessment, a new column in the gradebook is automatically generated for that assessment. Once the student takes the test, the grade will automatically be recorded. You can still change options for that grade in the gradebook.

Is there a way to display my grades other than by number?

Yes, when you create or modify an item in the gradebook, there is an option about displaying the grade. You can either display it as a score, which actually displays the numerical score. Another option is percentage, which displays the percentage of the maximum score that was answered correctly. The letter option displays the letter equivalent of a numerical grade. Blackboard has a default setting for this option. You can modify this option by clicking on Gradebook Settings in the spreadsheet view, then Manage Display Options, then click on the modify button next to the letter option.

What would you suggest for keeping track of attendance on the gradebook?

First, add a new item to the gradebook. Call it Attendance. Then for display options, select text. This will allow you to enter dates of when someone was absent for your record. However, make sure to select No when it asks if you want to include the item in gradebook score calculations. You can enter dates just like you enter a grade.

Is there a way to display more than 25 students at a time?

In the last version, it would display all of the students at one time. There were many suggestions sent to Blackboard about limiting the number of students it would display on a page. However, there have been suggestions that Blackboard allow instructors to select how many students are displayed at a time. If you want to contact Blackboard with this suggestion, e-mail them at suggestions@blackboard.com .

You can download your gradebook to your computer and open it in excel if you want to see more.

Is there a way to have grades display in a certain order?

If you click on Manage Items in the spreadsheet, it gives you access to change the order of how your grades are displayed. It will show all of the items in the gradebook, and and order sequence on the left hand side. From there, you can change the order of how your items will appear in the gradebook.

How do I view Survey Results?

Within your course's Gradebook, select the link for the name of the Survey. You will then be taken to the Item Options page. You can choose to receive your data in one of two ways. You can view the statistics for the item via the View Assessment Details link, and you can download the results to a .csv (comma separated values) file by using the Download Results link.

Why are my students seeing a check mark in their gradebook?

When creating an item in your gradebook there is a display option that defaults to Complete/Incomplete unless you change it. There are 5 options to choose from:

Complete/Incomplete
Letter
Percentage
Score
Text

If you have already created the item and need to change this option navigate to your gradebook.

Click on Manage Items on your Gradebook menu
Click Modify to the right of the item
On the Modify Item page find Display As: and change the display option
Click Submit

How do I sort my gradebook?

Gradebook organization in version 6.1 has improved from the last version. You may now sort by:

Category
Date added
Date
Position
Points Possible
Title
Weight

There are also Filtering capabilities by Category and by Users last Name.
These sort and filtering capabilities are located just above your item columns in the gradebook.

Be very careful when entering grades for large classes.

Using extra credit, is there a way to default the column not to add into the overall points, but to include the score anyway?

Make the item worth 0 points. The total points will calculate correctly.

*Note: Weighting does not work well with extra credit because the points could be added after the total points are calculated or if the extra credit is given for an assignment, that weighting will not be calculated correctly.