Step-By-Step
Creating an Assignment
(Text version)

1. As an alternative to using the Digital Drop box, Blackboard has created an Assignment function. An Assignment allows instructors to set out the requirements for a digital file expected to be submitted by students. Students can then read the assignment plus any attached material, create the required file in another application and submit that file to the instructor. Instructors can download the file (or multiple files submitted by students), grade the file, and either return to the student written comments or the corrected file itself.

2. Assignments can be added to any content area, folder or Learning Unit within a content area. To add an Assignment:

• Log in to the Blackboard site as usual:
• Go to Control Panel. Under the heading "Content" in the control panel, click on the content area you would like to add the Assignment. This will display the Root Level of the content area.To add an Assignment to a folder or learning unit, you must first access the Folder Level or Learning Unit Level. Click on the name of the folder or learning unit. This will display the Folder Level or Learning Unit Level.
• Use the dropdown box on the far right to locate "Assignment" Click on the "Go" button. This will display the Add Assignment form.
  
• Type in a name for the assignment the box marked "Name".
• When an assignment is created a grading column is automatically added to the course site's gradebook. Type in the number of points possible for this assignment. If you are not grading the assignment leave this value at 0.
  
• You can type in the instructions for the assignment in the box marked "Instructions". If you are using MS Explorer as your browser you can take advantage of the WYSIWYG editor and add links, images, attachments or formatted text directly to the instruction box.
  
• Under the sections marked "Availability Options", decide if you want the item to be visible to students. Leaving the default "Yes" radio button will make the item visible to students. Selecting the "No" radio button will hide the item from students. You will always be able to see a hidden item in the control panel.
• If you want to track the number of students that view this file select the "Yes" radio button marked "Do you want to track number of views?".
• You can choose a certain date and time for the item to become visible to students and/or a date and time to make the item hidden from students. To make the item visible to students at some time in the future, checkmark the "Display After" checkbox and use the dropdown boxes to select a date and time for the item to become visible to students. If you want the folder to become hidden at some time in the future, checkmark the "Display Until" checkbox and use the dropdown boxes to select a date and time for the item to become hidden from students. You will always be able to see a hidden item in the control panel.
  
• Under section #3, you can add any attachments you would like the students to view in preparation for the assignment. Click on the "Browse" button. This will display your computer's file locater dialogue box. Using the dropdown box on the top of the file locator, locate the directory and folder that contains the file you want to attach. Click on the name of the file then click on the "Open" button on the file locator. The locator dialogue box will disappear and the path to the file will be located in the box next to the "Browse" button.
• Type a link name into the box marked "Name of Link to File". These are the words the student will click on to see the file. It can be anything like for instance "View File".
  
• Click on the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. A receipt will be displayed telling you that the Assignment has been added. Click on the "OK" button to return to the Root Level of the content area or Folder Level or Learning Unit Level. The assignment should now be displayed.

4. Students access an assignment by clicking on the proper Content button, folder name, or Learning Unit, then clicking on the name of the Assignment. To see how students view and submit assignments, see: Blackboard Step-By-Step - Students Viewing and Submitting an Assignment.

5. To modify an Assignment:

• Go to Control Panel. Under the heading "Content" in the control panel, click on the content area that contains the Assignment. This will display the Root Level of the content area. If the Assignment is in a folder or learning unit, click on the folder or learning unit name. This will display the Folder Level or the Learning Unit Level.
• Click on the "Modify" button. This will display the Modify assignment form.

6. To remove an Assignment:

• Removing an Assignment will remove the gradebook entry along with all of the grades. It will also remove all of the items submitted by students. Do not remove an Assignment from a content area unless you no longer need to access the items submitted or the grades. If you want an Assignment to no longer be available to students use the "Modify" function and select the "No" radio button "Do you want this item to be visible to students?".
• To remove an Assignment: Go to Control Panel. Under the heading "Content" in the control panel, click on the content area that contains the Assignment. This will display the Root Level of the content area. If the Assignment is in a folder or learning unit, click on the folder or learning unit name. This will display the Folder Level or the Learning Unit Level.
• Click on the "Remove" button. A warning will be displayed. Click "OK". The Assignment is now removed completely.

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