{"id":143050,"date":"2022-12-16T13:48:58","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T18:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/?page_id=143050"},"modified":"2025-05-29T15:50:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T19:50:14","slug":"assignments-in-blackboard-learn","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/assignments-in-blackboard-learn\/","title":{"rendered":"Assignments in Blackboard Learn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Within Blackboard Learn for both Original and Ultra courses, assignments allow instructors to assess student performance just as they would on paper, from open-ended homework assignments to multiple choice quizzes and more.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about creating, editing, and using other types of content, visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/develop\/\">Developing Course Content<\/a> page.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"Create-Ultra\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Creating and Developing Assignments (Ultra)<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Watch a video about creating assignments with simplified workflows.<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Create an Assignment in Blackboard\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1044697405?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Creating assignments<\/strong><\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"1c8a72e9-f07b-46a1-892c-30b54511729a\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2020-10\/Createassignment.png\" width=\"782\" height=\"556\" alt=\"The Course Content page is open with the plus sign selected, the &quot;Create&quot; button clicked and the &quot;Assignment&quot; button highlighted. \" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>1. Just like other types of content, to add an assignment on the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Course Content<\/span><\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>page, select the plus sign wherever you want to add an assignment. In the menu, select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Create<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>to open the<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"interface\">Create Item<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>panel and select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Assignment<\/span><\/strong>. The<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"interface\">New Assignment<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>page opens.<\/p>\n<p>You can also expand or create a folder and add an assignment. When you create an assignment, a gradebook item is created automatically.<\/p>\n<p>2. After you post assignment grades, students can view their scores on their grades pages or in the activity stream. They can also access an assignment, their submissions, your feedback, rubrics, and their grades from the assignment link on the<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"interface\">Course Content<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>page.<\/p>\n<p><span>3. You can set the different assignment components to customize your assignment. Provide a descriptive title so students can easily find the assignment among your course content. On the <\/span><span class=\"interface\">Course Content<\/span><span>\u00a0page, the title appears as the link students select to view the materials. If you don&#8217;t add a title, &#8220;New Assignment&#8221; and the date appear in the content list. If you don&#8217;t add content, the assignment won&#8217;t appear on the\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"interface\">Course Content<\/span><span>\u00a0page.<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"8cfc96eb-2eaa-41ca-9c2f-715af2fcd3ea\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2020-09\/ultra_instr_create_assignment.png\" width=\"2545\" height=\"4369\" alt=\"The New assignment page is open with 1) the &quot;Release conditions&quot; button highlighted and with the &quot;Visible to students&quot; option selected, 2) the plus sign clicked and the content creation dropdown list on screen, and 3) the Assignments settings on screen. \" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"emphasize\">4. To then add text, files, and questions, s<\/span>elect the <strong>plus sign<\/strong> to open the menu and make a selection. You can choose a question type, add a question pool, or reuse questions and content from existing assessments. You can add files and text, such as instructions for the assignment. You can also<span>\u00a0<\/span>add files from cloud storage, such as OneDrive<span>\u00a0<\/span>and Google Drive.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"emphasize\">Show or hide the assignment:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Students can&#8217;t see an assignment until you choose to show it. You can create all your content ahead of time and choose what you want students to see based on your schedule. You can also set<span>\u00a0<\/span>availability conditions<span>\u00a0<\/span>based on date, time, and performance on other items in the course gradebook. To learn more about conditional availability, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/services\/teaching\/lms\/blackboard\/instructors\/develop\/#Content-Availability-Ultra\">Conditional Availability<\/a> section on our Developing Course Content page. On the<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"interface\">Course Content<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>page, students can see when you set the assignment to show.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span class=\"emphasize\">Make a group assignment:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>You can<span>\u00a0<\/span>create an assignment for one or more groups of students. By default, you assign a grade to each group as a whole, but you can change a group member&#8217;s individual grade. For additional information about Group Assignment, please <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Create_and_Edit_Assignments\/Group_Assignments\">visit this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span>Watch a video about group assignments:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Create Group Assignments for Instructors\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1044706757?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>For more information about the features of Assignments, please visit the following pages:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Create_and_Edit_Assignments#ultra_new_assignment_page\">Define assignment settings and options<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Create_and_Edit_Assignments#ultra_files\">Add text and files to assignments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Create_and_Edit_Assignments#ultra_timer\">Add a timer to assignments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Multiple_Assignment_Attempts#ultra_attempts\">Allow multiple attempts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Create_and_Edit_Assignments#ultra_external\">Create offline assignments such as oral presentations or lab work<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Grade\/Rubrics\">Add rubrics<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/SafeAssign\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/SafeAssign\">Use SafeAssign<\/a><span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Ultra\/Assignments\/Grade_Assignments\/Anonymous_Grading#ultra_enable\"><span>Anonymous Grading<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"Student-Activity\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Student Activity Tab (Ultra)<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>In Ultra, you can access student activity data from the <strong>Course Content<\/strong> page. Select an assessment&#8217;s dropdown menu and select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"emphasize\">Student Activity<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"bdb109eb-12c7-4adb-b7b2-8305ec2d5f97\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2023-09\/learn_ultra_instructor_StudentActivityDetailsAssessments_AccessContentPage.png\" width=\"1055\" height=\"845\" alt=\"Image of the content page with the More Options menu open to the left, with the Student Activity option highlighted\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>You can also access student activity data on an assessment\u2019s page by selecting the <strong>Student Activity<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"82237651-85e9-454a-8b4b-f17405dfd585\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2023-09\/learn_ultra_instructor_StudentActivityDetailsAssessments_AccessTab.png\" width=\"732\" height=\"177\" alt=\"Screenshot of the Student Activity tab selected on an assessment\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Student activity details aren\u2019t available for anonymous graded assessments. When you turn off the anonymous grading option, the <strong>Student Activity Details Report for Assessments<\/strong> appears again.<\/p>\n<p>The top of the page shows you an overview of information, including the course average submission time and time before due date.<\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"950f4941-2ff4-4bea-9771-0ec43517597e\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2023-09\/learn_ultra_instructor_StudentActivityDetailsAssessments_LandingPage.png\" width=\"1027\" height=\"625\" alt=\"Image of the top half of the Student Activity Details report, showing basic information and the Grade Distribution line graph\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Submission Activity<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Submission Activity section includes the number of students at specific stages in the assessment. The stages include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unopened<\/li>\n<li>Opened<\/li>\n<li>Drafts started<\/li>\n<li>Submitted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Grade Distribution<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Grade Distribution line graph shows student grades.<\/p>\n<p>The x axis represents grade ranges. Ranges are from the lowest to the maximum possible grade for the assessment.<\/p>\n<p>The y axis is the number of students who received a specific grade.<\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"cec16fa0-6ba2-4610-b9a6-cef013763498\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2023-09\/learn_ultra_instructor_StudentActivityDetailsAssessments_GradeDistribution.png\" width=\"692\" height=\"267\" alt=\"The Grade Distribution line graph, with peaks representing numbers of students and a dot with 3 students highlighted\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Select any dot on the line graph to see more information about the students who received a grade in that specific range. Student grades are displayed as columns in a bar graph. Hover over the student\u2019s column to see the student\u2019s name, grade, and percentile.<\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"6489149f-dd65-4fa6-8244-bdac833054bd\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2023-09\/learn_ultra_instructor_StudentActivityDetailsAssessments_MoreGradeDetails.png\" width=\"684\" height=\"251\" alt=\"Screenshot of 3 columns representing student grades, with a student with a grade of 83 highlighted\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>To return to the Grade Distribution line graph, select the<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"emphasize\">Back<span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>button.<\/p>\n<p><span><strong>Watch a video about Student Activity Report:<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Student Activity Report - Blackboard\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1044714039?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" id=\"Create-Original\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Creating and Developing Assignments (Original)<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Create an Assignment in the Original Course View\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hUXXCp1pnHs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>With assignments, you can create coursework and manage the grades and feedback for each student separately. You can create assignments in content areas, learning modules, lesson plans, and folders.<\/p>\n<p>When you create an assignment, a Grade Center column is created automatically. From the Grade Center or<span>\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"interface\">Needs Grading<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>page, you can see who has submitted their work and start grading.<\/p>\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"37e436ba-4046-4648-8b3b-daf56f167354\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2020-11\/learn_original_createassignment%20copy.png\" width=\"445\" height=\"226\" alt=\"Image of creating assignments in content areas\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li>From the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Assessments<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>menu, select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Assignment<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>and provide the name, instructions, and the files students need. You can<span>\u00a0<\/span>use the functions in the editor<span>\u00a0<\/span>to format text and add files. You can also add files in the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Assignment Files<\/span><\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>section.\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Browse My Computer<\/span><\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>to upload a file from your computer. The file is saved in the top-level folder in your course&#8217;s file repository: <strong>Course Files<\/strong> or the <strong>Content Collection<\/strong>. You can also attach a file from the repository.-OR-Drag files from your computer to the &#8220;hot spot&#8221; in the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Attach Files<\/span><\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>area. If your browser allows, you can also drag a folder of files. The files will upload individually. If the browser doesn&#8217;t allow you to submit your assignment after you upload a folder, select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Do not attach<\/span><\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>in the folder&#8217;s row to remove it. You can drag the files individually and submit again.You can use the file name or provide another name for the file.\n<div data-embed-button=\"media_browser\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:media.embedded\" data-entity-type=\"media\" data-entity-uuid=\"dc5d5581-743c-48dd-9cee-e3c107181a9a\" data-langcode=\"en\" class=\"embedded-entity\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"internal default field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/2020-11\/learn_original_contenteditor_createassignment%20copy_0.png\" width=\"486\" height=\"449\" alt=\"image of creating assignment panel\" typeof=\"foaf:Image\" class=\"alignnone\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>Optionally, select a<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Due Date<\/span><\/strong>. Assignments with due dates automatically show in the course calendar and in the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">To Do<\/span><\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>module. Submissions are accepted after this date but are marked late. If you don\u2019t want students to access an assignment after the due date, choose the appropriate display dates.<\/li>\n<li>In the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Grading<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>section, type the<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Points Possible<\/span><\/strong>. If you set the points possible to a non-whole number, letter grades may not be assigned correctly.<\/li>\n<li>Optionally,<span>\u00a0<\/span>add a rubric. Expand the sections to make selections such as anonymous grading, how the grade is displayed, and the number of attempts. You can<span>\u00a0<\/span>allow more than one attempt<span>\u00a0<\/span>on an assignment.<\/li>\n<li>Make the assignment available when you&#8217;re ready for students to access it. Select the appropriate options for availability, tracking, and display dates. Display dates don&#8217;t affect an assignment&#8217;s availability, only when it appears.<\/li>\n<li>Select<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong><span class=\"interface\">Submit<\/span><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span><strong>Create group assignments<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>You can also create a group assignment and release it to one or more groups in your course. Each group submits one collaborative assignment and all members receive the same grade. For more information about the features of Group Assignments, please <a href=\"https:\/\/help.blackboard.com\/Learn\/Instructor\/Original\/Assignments\/Create_and_Edit_Assignments\/Group_Assignments\">visit this page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Within Blackboard Learn for both Original and Ultra courses, assignments allow instructors to assess student performance just as they would on paper, from open-ended homework assignments to multiple choice quizzes and more. To learn more about creating, editing, and using other types of content, visit our Developing Course Content page&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18839,"featured_media":0,"parent":61284,"menu_order":14,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143050"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18839"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143050"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157888,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143050\/revisions\/157888"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}