Blackboard Grade Center Tips
How can I Export my Grade Center, edit in Excel and then re-import into Blackboard?
From the "Work Offline " dropdown menu select the "Download" option. You can then download the entire Grade Center or a single column. Make sure to only adjust the content and DO NOT change any columns or headers. Once you are finished from the "Manage" dropdown menu select "Upload" and reupload your Grade Center with the new changes you have made.
My Grade Center has too many columns and it is difficult to see the appropriate information to correctly enter my grades, what can I do?
There are a few solutions for this issue. If you temporarily need to turn off any particular columns browse to "Manage" > "Column Organization". From here you can temporarily turn off visibility for particular columns without deleteing them permanently. For any columns you would like invisible select it with the checkbox and from the top dropdown option "Show/Hide" choose "Hide Selected Columns".
Why are my total points are not adding up to the correct amount?
This could be for a vareity of reasons. However, the first step should be to check the point totals for each column and make sure they are accurate. You can check this by selecting the drop down arrows on each column and select "Column Information" and verify the point total is correct.
Can I undo an override?
You can undo an Override by Reverting a grade. The Revert function only works for grades that have been Overridden.
How do I create a weighted column?
Weighting grades is done by adding a Weighted Grade Column. You can select some or all of the other columns to include in the weighting calculation. All new courses come with a Weighted Grade Column. This does not limit you to one Weighted Grade column. You can create several Weighted Grade Columns and use them in other Calculated Columns (like another Weighted Grade column).
Can I drop a grade in the gradebook?
Yes. You can exclude a grade from all calculations by Exempting it. Exempted grades can be Reverted from the Grade Details page or from the Grade Center spreadsheet. You can drop a grade by using a Weighted Column to automatically drop the lowest grade out of a particular Category, such as the lowest grade on Weekly Quizzes. You must create Categories in order to drop grades automatically.
Can I organize my grade columns into categories?
Yes. You can create Categories to organize the Grade Center and run reports on specific types of grades. Default categories include Assignment, Discussion, Survey, and Test. Grade Center items that are not assigned a Category upon creation are automatically assigned to No Category. Create Categories before creating Grade Center Items.
How do I add a comment to an assignment through the spreadsheet view?
It is necessary to have a grade entered before adding comments. To enter a comment, follow these steps:
- In the Grade Center Action Bar, move the cursor over an entered grade.
- Click the Action Link, and then select Add Comment from the contextual menu.
- Enter text into the Feedback to User textbox to share with the student.
- Enter text into the Instructor Notes textbox for reference. Instructor notes are available other users such as TAs and Graders who have access to the Grade Center.
- Click Submit to save comments.
How do I override an existing grade?
Grades can be overridden manually from the Grade Center or from the Grade Details page, or they can be overridden by uploading an external file containing new data. For more information on uploading external files see Uploading External Grade Center Items. To change or override a grade from the Grade Center, follow these steps:
- Place the curser in the cell where the grade is to be changed and click.
- Enter a value.
- Press Enter.
Can I export my grade history to review what changes were made?
Yes. The Grade History can be exported as a delimited file and downloaded to local machine. To export the Grade History, follow these steps:
- Click Export from the Grade History page.
- Select the Delimiter Type for the file, either Comma or Tab.
- Select Yes to Include Comments or No to exclude them from the download.
- Click Submit.
- Click Download the save the file to a local machine.
What is the total points calculation?
A Grade Center Total Points column is a grade based on the cumulative points received, related to the points allowed. The following items can be selected to create a Total Points calculation and its column:
- All Grade Columns – All individual Grade Columns added to the Grade Center.
- Grade Columns in a Grading Period – All Grade Columns that have been added to an Grading Period.
- Selected Gradable Columns and Categories – Any grade Columns and any or all Categories.
For example, an Instructor may create a column to determine the final grade for the first quarter by creating a Grade Center Total Points column that includes all of the columns in the first quarter Grading Period. Alternatively, an Instructor can create a Grade Center Total Points column that displays the percentages of a particular Grade Center column, or a Category or Categories.
What are average grade columns?
An Average Grade column displays the average for any number of quantities. An Average Grade Column can include any the following non-text columns:
- All Grade Columns – All individual Grade columns added to the Grade Center.
- Grade Columns in a Grading Period – All Grade columns that have been added to a Grading Period.
- Selected Gradable Columns and Categories – Any Grade columns and any or all Categories.