Blackboard: Using the Assignments Tool
Instructors can create Assignments and add them to a Content area. Assignments list the name, point value, and a description for class work. Instructors also have the option of including attachments to an Assignment. Students complete the assignment in a separate file and send it back to the Instructor through the Course menu.
IMPORTANT: Once a student completes and submits an Assignment, the instructor may access this file in the Gradebook. Assignments submitted by students may not be viewed or graded in the Content Area where the Assignment is posted.
To add an assignment:
- Select a content area in which to place the assignment (you can do this through the Control Panel or through the Quick Edit link in the display view of the course)
- In the ADD toolbar at the top of the page, click on the drop-down menu at right and choose Assignment, and click Go
You will see a screen similar to the following:
Fields
The table below details the fields on the Add Assignment page:
Field |
Description |
Content Information |
|
Name: |
Enter the name of the assignment. If the name of the assignment is changed after it is created the new name will not appear in the Gradebook. To change the name in the Gradebook as well, change the Item Information for the assignment in the Gradebook. |
Color: |
Click Pick and select a color for the assignment name, if you want. |
Points Possible: |
Enter the maximum number of points possible for this item. |
Instructions: |
Enter instructions for completing the assignment. The following options are available: · √x: Opens the WebEQ Equation Editor. · <¸>: Opens the MathML Equation Editor. · ABC: Opens Spell Check. · Preview: Opens the text as it will appear to users. |
Availability Options |
|
Do you want to make the assignment visible?: |
Select Yes and users will view the Assignment. Select No and the assignment will not be visible to users. |
Do you want to track number of views?: |
Select Yes and the system will track the number of times Students open this Survey. Select No and this information will not be recorded. |
Availability Dates: |
Select the range of dates that the assignment will appear. Select dates using the drop-down lists or click on the icon for a calendar interface. To display an announcement from a date forward, select a date in the Display After: field but do not select the Display Until option. To display an announcement for a specific amount of time select a date in the Display After: field, check Display Until, and select a date below. |
Assignment Attachments |
|
File to Attach: |
Click Browse and select a file to attach. |
Name of Link to File: |
Enter a name for the file to appear in the Assignment. |
Currently Attached Files: |
Lists the files that are currently attached to the Assignment. |
Viewing an Assignment
After the Assignment is created it will appear in the Content Area you selected. To preview files that have been attached to the Assignment, click Upload File next to the Assignment. The attached file will appear. Students will click on the assignment and will then access a form for uploading their assignment.