Using the Gradebook

Step-by-Step Guides

The guides listed below provide Step-by-Step instructions on each specific function. Also included in the guides is a short explanation of the feature and a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).

What is the Blackboard Gradebook?

This Blackboard Gradebook is similar to a printed gradebook. Like a printed gradebook, you can create entries in the gradebook for course assignments and assign student points. Certain features, such as Blackboard Quizzes, are automatic and assign points to the gradebook once a student has taken a quiz. The new Blackboard Gradebook also allows for a running total and a running weighted total.

Grade Weighting

Blackboard allows instructors to "weight" the grades for items such as quizzes and assignments. This weighting can be based on assigned percentages for each item or assigned percentages for different item categories.

Exporting the Gradebook

Blackboard allows you to export your gradebook to an Excel spreadsheet. To export a spreadsheet of your gradebook go to Control Panel and click on the Gradebook button then click "Download Grades" and then "Download." This file can then be opened in Microsoft Excel, or another spreadsheet program. This is helpful because in Excel you can do grade calculations that you cannot do in Blackboard.

Note: The Safari browser on the Macintosh cannot download the gradebook. On the Macintosh, please use Internet Explorer or Firefox to download the Blackboard Gradebook.

Importing a Gradebook

Blackboard can allow instructors to import a gradebook from Excel into Blackboard.

Important Note About Uploading Grades: For best results, instructors should manipulate and upload a Gradebook that has been downloaded from your course in the Blackboard Learning System (See the procedure for exporting/downloading the Gradebook above).

Blackboard downloads the Gradebook as a .CSV file (a generic spreadsheet that will open and can be manipulated in Excel).

After keying or pasting needed values from any spreadsheet or document into this .CSV file (named gb_export.csv) and after saving these changes, while being sure to retain the CSV format, instructors may then upload Gradebook information into Blackboard by using the "Upload Grades" button.

After clicking "Upload Grades' Instructors may select a specific Gradebook item, such as a Quiz or a Test, to upload, as well as, specific student grades within the Gradebook item to upload.

It is not advised that Instructors create a new Gradebook from scratch then upload it.

Contact the Blackboard Help more information or help with this procedure if needed, 594-3485.

Viewing Grades (Students)

Students will assuredly want to see their grade for an assignment or a course. Students can easily do this by logging into Blackboard, going to the Tools section under the MY SDSU Tab and clicking View Grades. Students then need to select the appropriate class name.

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