Creating columns and categories in Ultra Gradebook

Owned by Clare Ferguson
Last updated: Feb 14, 2024 by ellen bell
3 min read

The Gradebook in Blackboard Ultra is a dynamic and interactive tool, allowing you to record data, calculate grades and monitor student progress.

To learn how to access the grade book you can go to ‘Access the Gradebook’.

To learn the basics of using the Gradebook, you can go to ‘Using Blackboard Ultra Gradebook’.

Instructions

Creating Mark Categories

A Gradebook Mark Category is a group of similar coursework. You can add custom categories to the gradebook.

 

The Gradebook has nine default Mark Categories: Assignment, Test, Discussion, Journal, Exam, Homework, Presentation and Quiz that cannot be removed or edited.

Mark Categories can be created to organise the Gradebook. It is best practice to Create mark categories before creating Gradebook items. Eg if you have a series of tests such as Lab1, Lab2, Lab3 etc, it would appropriate to set up a category called Laboratory Tests.

 

  1. Login to Blackboard.

  2. In the Module area select Gradebook.

  3. Select the Settings Cog to expand the settings panel.

  4. Scroll down the settings list and click Add New Category.

  5. On the Categories page that loads select the Create Category button.

  6. In the Name box, type a name for the category.

  7. This will autosave.

Screenshot 2024-02-02 at 11.23.00.png

 

 

Creating a column - blank or calculated overview

Gradebook columns represent any Student effort that is measured. Columns are added to the Gradebook automatically for work created within the system in Assignments and Tests. Work done that is not automatically graded can be measured in the Gradebook by creating a Grade column. You could use this feature to input marks for off-line activities such as practicals or lab tests. Students can access their marks online along with all their other assessments.

 

  1. Login to Blackboard.

  2. Select Gradebook from the module area you want to create the column within.

  3. Either within List View or Grid view click the purple plus icon.

    Screenshot 2024-02-02 at 11.36.47.png

  4. Choose from the options that appear which option you would like.

     

    Add item - creates a blank column where you can:

    • Name the column,

    • add a due date (if applicable),

    • choose how marks are displayed,

    • allocate a total score for the assessment (we recommend 100 for all),

    • allocate it to a category (if applicable); and

    • give it a description.

Add calculation - creates a pop up for you to name your column and create your calculation you wish.

Add total calculation - this brings up additional options where you can set the overall mark for the module either through weighting multiple assessments or by adding the total points of two assessments together.

  1. Save your column to create it.

Remember - Check the visibility of the column to ensure what students can/cannot see.

 

Videos on how to create different types of column/calculation in Gradebook

Create a blank column for non Blackboard assessment

Panopto video: Create a blank column in Gradebook

Create an Average Column

Panopto video: Creating an average column in Gradebook

Create a Max/Min Column

Panopto video: Create a max/min column in Gradebook

Create a Total Column to add scores to be 100

Panopto video: creating a total column in Gradebook

Create a weighted total

Panopto video: creating a weighted column

 

For further information on how to create Calculated/ Total columns, Blackboard have a very comprehensive set of instructions available https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Ultra/Grade/Grading_Tasks/Calculate_Grades

Centre for Digital Learning Enhancement
ulster.ac.uk/learningengancement/cdle