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Adding Columns

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All gradable items (Discussion Boards, Assignments, Surveys, and Assessments) created for a course through the Blackboard system automatically have a column created in the Grade Center. For all other items, a Grade Center column must be created. Follow the steps below to add a grade column:

  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 Grade Column button.
    Add Column button
  4. Enter in an appropriate Column Name and Points Possible. 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 area where this name is used.
    • Description: entering a description will aid Faculty 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 use the Percentage display option.
    • Category: default categories appear in the listing.  If user defined categories are desired, they must be created before appearing in this listing.  The default choice for this option is No Category.
    • Points Possible: enter the number of points assigned to this Grade Center column.  Non-numeric entries are not accepted.

  5. Enter a Due Date (if applicable).
    Due Date

    • None – there will be no due date for the grade item.
    • Due On – specify the due date for the grade item including month, day, and year.

  6. Set additional viewing and calculations for the column by clicking Yes or No for each option.
    Additional Options
    • Include Column in Grade Center calculations – The column is included in the possible selections of items when creating calculated columns.
    • Show this Column in My Grades – 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 – Statistical information with the grade value will be shown to student.

    Note: A success message is displayed and the new column is added to the Grade Center.
    Added Column

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Are you looking for more information related to Blackboard communication tools? Review the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the communication tools in Blackboard. Also, consider attending one of the upcoming Blackboard workshops.

Last Updated: 07/08/2009