Midterm season is fast approaching! Is your Gradebook set up? Get the most out of Blackboard Ultra Gradebook with these five tips from your team at the Innovative Learning Support Centre (ILSC).

“How do I set up Overall Grades?” 

Tip #1: Use the weighted grading calculation to show students the running total of their overall grade. Assign the weighted percentage values to each gradable item according to the assessment plan or structure of your published course outline. 

“How do I post Midterm Grades?” 

Tip #2: Calculate and share midterm (and final) grades with your students using the overall grade column. Verify that all gradable items or categories have been assigned the correct weighted percentage values, and only those counting towards the midterm grade are included. 

Tip #3: Check the box “Base calculation on points earned out of total graded points” so students see their actual grade earned to date. If left unchecked, the overall grade would factor in all other assessments not yet administered or graded, and therefore would show skewed student grades. 

“Why can’t my students see their grades?” 

Tip #4: In the content page, assessment item(s) and the content folder where they are located need to be made ‘visible to students’ so students can view their grade. Confirm the configuration of the release conditions to show course content to students during the given time period.

“I copied a past course and now gradebook is assigning automatic zeros. What should I do?”

Tip #5: Gradebook assigns automatic zeros for past due assessments by default, even for past courses that have been copied. Disable automatic zeros from the gradebook settings to ensure that grades are not negatively impacted, and students are credited for all their work. 

Need additional support? The ILSC is here to help.