Configuring the Grade Center Part 1

Configuring the Gradebook.

1. When you create an assignment or test Blackboard automatically includes the grade in the gradebook.  Make sure that the “Include in Grade Center” grading calculations option is selected.  This should be defaulted for assignments, but sometimes developers accidentally de-select it.  This also applies to tests as well.
2. With Discussions Forums be sure to include the grade in the grade center
3. Any other activity that will be graded should also have a corresponding grade center listing as well

Including Activities in the Grade Center

Let’s look at how to format the Grade Center, which you may know as the Grade Book. In this video we will look at two parts key in providing the grade to the grade center.
1. Including an activity in the Grade Center
2. Managing the Column/activities in the Grade Center

First, let’s examine how to include an activity in the Grade Center

1. When you create an assignment or test, Blackboard automatically includes the grade in the grade center. However, when making an assignment, be sure that the “Include in Grade Center” grading calculations option is selected. This should be defaulted for assignments, but sometimes developers accidentally de-select it. This also applies to tests as well. 
2.  With Discussions Forums be sure to include the grade in the grade center. They are not the default, so be sure to select this grading calculation option.
3. Any other activity that will be graded should also have a corresponding grade center listing as well
4. If you imported the assignment/activity, it should be included in the Grade Center. However, it is good practice to check.

Now let's look in the Full Grade Center.

5. Go to the Grade Center

a. Each assignment is represented as a column. 

1.  To edit the assignment in the grade center, be sure to select the edit column information feature from the edit chevron of the column.
2. Now you can edit the column. You can select two ways to display the information – the second will be for the instructor’s eyes only. 
3. On the bottom of the page, you will also have options to allow students to see the column.
4. Be sure that the settings are selected in line with how you wish to have the grade center displayed for students.
5. Hit submit to save. Hit Cancel and it wont matter.

b. Besides editing the column (which can allow you to assign categories) , the Chevron on each column will allow you to hide the column from students.

c. From the Manage column, you can organize the grades by selecting ‘Column Organization’

      i. Here you can control where the grade center ordering of graded activities (columns) (top is left)
     ii. You can also quickly check to see that each assignment has to correctly assigned category.

The next post will continue with how to calculate students grades with a weighted column in Configuring the Grade Center Part 2.