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Learning Technology Team

Ultra Workflow 2: Blackboard Assignment

Information for Staff

When to use a Blackboard Ultra assignment

You can use a Blackboard Ultra assignment when:

  • Your students are submitting individually or as a group;
  • Your students are submitting single or multiple files;
  • Your students are submitting any type of file, including large files, and video and audio files;
  • You want to upload an external file as part of your feedback to your students, or to give video feedback.
  • NEW You want to use the new Turnitin integration to check students' work for originality.

 

You cannot use a Blackboard Ultra assignment if:

  • It is imperative that you mark your students' work anonymously*.

*While Blackboard Ultra assignments do allow the option to hide student names during marking, this is not recommended because a permanent paper ID is not generated, which means that it is not possible to keep a record of which pieces of work were internally moderated. Additionally, it is not possible to de-anonymise individual submissions where academic misconduct is suspected. For these reasons, anonymous marking is only recommended when using Turnitin assignments.

How to set up an individual Blackboard Ultra Assignment

This guide explains how to set up a Blackboard Assignment. It covers all the recommended settings and steps to ensure the assignment runs smoothly for both staff and students throughout the submission and grading electronically process.

To help your students understand the process, please add a link to the student guide in your Ultra course: Submitting a Blackboard Assignment - Student guide.

NOTE: All submission points must be placed in the 'Assessment and submission' Learning Module on Ultra courses. This is defined within the NILE design standards and is a mandatory requirement.

Select the Assessment and submission folder.

Select Create.

Select the Assignment item from the Assessment submenu.

Enter the Assignment name based on the Assessment ID and description listed in your module specifications.

Use Instructions to add some context for your student.

Select Assignment Settings to modify the assessment parameters.

Modify the Due Date and Attempts Allowed

Choose to indicate if it is a Formative Assessment.

Select Mark Using and choose UG or PG Letter, Points or Percentages.

Select Maximum points and set to 100.

Please note that Anonymous marking is not recommended with Blackboard Ultra Assignments as a permanent paper ID is not generated, which means that it is not possible to keep a record of which pieces of work were internally moderated. Additionally, it is not possible to de-anonymise individual submissions where academic misconduct is suspected. For these reasons, anonymous marking is only recommended when using Turnitin assignments, therefore please always leave 'Hide student names' unchecked when setting up a Blackboard Ultra Assignment.

Select Add marking rubric to use an existing rubric or create a new rubric. 

Select Originality Report if you would like to enable Turnitin to check the submission.

Select Enable Turnitin to activate the Turnitin settings panel.

Ensure you allow students to view their Originality Report for their attempts.

Select Standard paper Repository.

Select sources for comparison.

Choose whether to exclude bibliographic material, quote materials or small text matches.

Select Save to confirm your choices.

Close the Turnitin panel to return to the Assignment Settings panel.

Select Hidden from students to change the availability of the assessment. 

Your Blackboard Ultra Assignment is now set up.

Select Close to return to the Course Content screen.

If you require assistance with NILE, please contact LearnTech Support using the NILE Enquiry Form

If you require assistance with PebblePad, please contact PebblePad Support using the PebblePad Contact Form