You can use Blackboard Assignment dropboxes for coursework submissions from your class. Any digital format can be uploaded by your students to a Blackboard Assignments dropbox including text, audio as well as specialist software files and video submissions (using Panopto).
Blackboard assignments can also be used in conjunction with groups to allow separate assignments and group submissions. If you require Similarity Checking, a new Ultra feature allows TurnItIn functionality to be added to the Blackboard assignment dropbox. Test questions can also be added to an assignment, opening opportunities for diverse assessment strategies.
📘 Instructions
Creating a Blackboard Assignment dropbox
You can create a Blackboard assignment alongside other content. As with all other content, you can move the Assignment within the Content by clicking and dragging.
In your Module’s Course Content, click the + sign where you want the Assignment to display (alternatively, you can move it to anywhere within the Content page once you have created it).
In the menu, select Create to open the Create Item panel and select Assignment.
The New Assignment page opens.Â
Here you can:
Type in the assignment title
Add assignment content by clicking the plus sign
Access the Assignment Settings by clicking the cog icon
Assignment content can contain text and files relevant to the assignment.
Supported file types
As with Original, Blackboard Ultra allows you to create assignment dropboxes for coursework submissions. The Blackboard Assignment dropbox is very versatile, allowing your students to submit audio, video, text, graphic and executables files. File formats supported include:
Text: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt
Graphic: .jpg, .png, .pdf, TIFF
Audio: mp3, AIFF, .wav
Video: mp4, AVI, .mov
Other: HTML, .exe, .ppt
Blackboard help has a full list of accepted files
Video: adding a Blackboard Assignment
Panopto video adding an assignment dropbox
Assignment Settings
Select the cog icon to open the Assignment Settings. The following is a list of the more advanced functions you may need to take in consideration:
Details & Information | |
|---|---|
Prohibit late submissions | Students will not be able to submit after the due date. Any draft submissions will be submitted automatically. |
Prohibit new attempts after due date | Students can’t start a submission once the due date has passed. |
Allow class conversation | Turns on Class Conversation feature for this Assignment. |
Collect submissions offline | Use this option if the assessment takes place outside of Blackboard, such as a presentation, simulation, or other real-life scenario assessment. Marks can then be entered directly into the Grade Book. |
Presentation Options | These options are only available if questions have been added to the Assignment. This section is relevant to Blackboard Tests |
Formative Tools | Use this option if the Assignment should not be part of the Grade Total Calculations |
Making & Submissions | |
|---|---|
Mark category | Mark categories are used to group assignments. Categories can be used when creating calculated items. You can create new categories in the Gradebook Settings. |
Mark using | Select the appropriate marking scheme: letter, points, percentage, complete/incomplete. |
Maximum points | It is recommended to keep this value at 100. Changing this has implications for mark fidelity. If your assignments have different weighings, these can be applied in the Total Grade Calculation (see Using Blackboard Ultra Gradebook) |
Anonymous marking | Once this option is turned on, it cannot be turned off until the grades are posted |
Two markers per student | Turns on the Assign Markers facility. Marks must be reconciled. |
Peer review | Opens the Peer Review settings. Peer review works by randomly allocating submissions for students to review by a deadline added in the Peer Review settings. |
Delegated marking | Allocate markers to groups of students. Single or multiple markers. In the case of multiple markers, marks must be reconciled. |
Assessment results | |
|---|---|
This section only applies if questions are added. See Blackboard Tests for guidance. |
Assessment security | |
|---|---|
Access code | Generates a code which must be provided to the students in order to start an attempt. |
Additional tools | |
|---|---|
Time limit | Let you set a time frame within which the assessment must be completed. |
Use marking rubric | Opens the rubric editor if you don’t have rubrics in this module. If you do, you can select and edit existing rubrics. |
Assign to groups | Allocate the assignment to student groups. This opens the facility to choose or edit groups. |
Originality report | Turns on TurnItIn as a plugin to provide the Originality Report. |
Be clear with students about due date/time for assignments, is this within office hours so they can seek support if required? Let students know when they can expect feedback