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Northern Illinois University

Teaching with Blackboard

Adding a Total Points Column

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  1. Click the Control Panel button on the left side of the screen in your Course homepage.
    Control Panel Button
  2. Under Assessment, click Grade Center.
    Click Gradecenter
  3. Click the Add Calculated Column button.
    Add Calculated Column
  4. Select the Total option to insert a new total column.
    Select Total
  5. Enter in the Column Name.  Keep in mind only items marked with a red asterisk are required.
    Column Name
    • Column Name: formal name for the column which will be displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered.  The maximum field size is 15 characters.
    • Grade Center Display Name: this text will appear as the column heading in the Grade Center and can only be 15 characters long.  The Grade Center is the only are where this name is used.
    • Description: entering a description will aid instructors or other graders in identifying the column.
    • Primary Display: the format chosen is the only (if no Secondary Grade is selected) format displayed for this Grade Item in the Grade Center.  Often times, faculty will want to use the default selection of Score. 
    • Secondary Display: this selection displays the secondary format for this Grade Item in the Grade Center.  The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses.  Most commonly, faculty might use the Percentage display option.
  6. Select a Grading Period (optional).
  7. Select the columns to include in the total. Notice that there are two ways of adding items – by individual column or by category name. And then click the arrow directly to the right of the item to add.
    Select Columns
    Note:
    • All Grade Columns – all columns are included in the calculation.
    • All Grade Columns in Grading Period – selecting this option enables faculty to select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu.  If Grading Periods are not used in the course, this option will not appear.
    • Selected Grade Columns, Calculated Columns and Categories – this option allows faculty to select the specific items to include within the total column.
  8. Set the Calculate as a running total option.
    Running Total
    • Selecting Yes calculates the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded.
    • Selecting No includes all columns in the calculation.  Non-graded items are included in the calculations with a value of zero.
  9. Set the remaining options.
    Remaining Options
    Note:
    • Include column in Grade Center calculations – if Yes, the column is included in the possible selections of items when creating calculated columns.
    • Show this column in My Grades – if Yes, the column will appear in My Grades, View Grades, and the Report Card module when available.
    • Show Statistics (average and mean) for this column in My Grades – if Yes, statistical information with the grade value will be shown to students.
  10. Click the Submit button to create the new column.
    Submit
    Note: A Success message and the new column appear.
    Success

 

Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions FAQ


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Are you looking for more information regarding the Blackboard Grade Center? Review the answers to Blackboard frequently asked questions as well as Blackboard tutorials. Also, consider attending one of the upcoming Blackboard workshops.

Last Updated: 09/21/2009