Step-By-Step
Adding and Configuring Items
(Text version)

1. Blackboard provides instructors and TAs a Gradebook function which allows them to track, calculate and post student grades. To access the Blackboard gradebook;

• Log into the Blackboard course site as usual.
• Go to Control Panel / Gradebook. This will display the Gradebook's View Spreadsheet form

2. To add an item to be graded:

• Click on the "Add Item" button at the top of the spreadsheet.This displays the Add/Modify Gradebook Item form.
• Type in a name for the item to be graded in the box marked "Item Name".
• Use the "Category" dropdown box to select a category for the item.
• If you want, type in a description of the item in the box marked "Description".
• Use the dropdown boxes to select a date for the item. The date has no effect on the Blackboard gradebookor the display of grades to students. You can leave the default date as is.
• Type in the number of points possible in the box marked "Points Possible". If you are using the "Total" or Weighted Total" column to calculate a final grade, you should assign 100 points to each item.
• Use the dropdown box to select how the grade is to be displayed (in both the spreadsheet and the student's view). If you are using the "Total" or Weighted Total" column to calculate a final grade, you should choose either "Letter" or "Percentage".
• If you want the students to be able to view their grade for this item select the "Yes" radio button next to "Make item visible to students". If you do not want the students to be able to see their grade for this item, select the "No" radio button. This function can be modified at any time. Usually this function is set to "No" until all of the students grade have been recorded for the item.
• If you want this item to be included in the gradebook score calculations, select the "Yes" radio button next to " Include item in gradebook score calculations". If you do not want this item to be included in the gradebook score calculations, select the "No" radio button. This function can be modified at any time. If you are using the "Total" or Weighted Total" column to calculate a final grade and are displaying a "running" grade based on graded items to date, this function should be set to "No" until all of the students grade have been recorded for the item.
• Click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. A receipt will be displayed telling you that the item has been updated. Click "OK". This will display the Gradebook spreadsheet with the item added as a column.

3. You can add as many items as you like to the gradebook. To modify or remove gradebook items:

• Click on the "Manage Items" button at the top of the spreadsheet. This displays the Manage Items page.
• To remove an item click on the "Remove" button to the right of the item name. A warning will be displayed. Click "OK". This will return the display to the Manage Items page with the gradebook item removed.
• To modify an existing gradebook item, click on the "modify" button to the right of the item name in the Manage Items page. This will display the Ad/Modify Gradebook Item form. If you make and changes on this form click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. A receipt will be displayed telling you that the item has been updated. Clicking "OK" will display the Manage Items page.

4. An alternative method to reach the Add/Modify Gradebook Item form is to click on the name of the gradebook item located at the top of the column. This displays the Item Options menu. Click on the "Item Information" link. This displays the Add/Modify Gradebook Item form.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this Step-By-Step procedure contact the Tufts Blackboard Administrator at: nhirsig@tufts.edu