Setup Final & Midterm Calculated Grades

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Overview

Blackboard allows you to setup calculated columns in the grade book to display the results of formulas using the values of other columns. This is useful in displaying midterm or final grades, for example.

Warning: If you rename a column, remember to rebuild all formulas that use that column so that they reference the new column name. These formulas will remain broken until they are rebuilt.

Create a Calculated Column

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  • Under the Teach Tab, click on Grade Book
  • Click on Create Column
  • Select Calculated

  • Fill in the Column Label. If you would like the column to appear in your student their My Grades area, check the check boxes next to Grade-Related column and Released to Student. Avoid using special characters ( @ # % & ; ).
  • Click Save

  • Click on the ActionLinks ActionLinks icon icon for the newly created column and select Edit Column Formula

  • The calculation editor allows you to enter a formula based on values from other columns
     
    Note: The calculation editor does not allow manual editing of formulas. Therefore, all values must be entered via button actions. Press Undo to undo the last action—you may have to press it several times to reach the entry you wish to change. Press Clear All to clear the entire formula and start over.

  • To sum up a series of columns, start by clicking the Sum button (to insert SUM{)
  • Select the first column you would like to include in the Sum
  • Press Enter Another Value (to insert ,)
  • Select the next column you would like to include in the Sum
  • Repeat until all the desired columns have been included

  • When you are finished adding columns to the list, press End Function (to insert })
  • Complete any additional calculations needed and press Save

NOTE: If a student does not have a score for one of the columns used in the formula, the column will show parenthesis ( ) around the score to indicate one or more of the values used in the formula is missing.

REMEMBER: Each column calculated must be released before your students are able to see it

Sample Calculations

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Total Students' Points

Blackboard allows you to identify the sum (total), maximum, and minimum scores out of a series of column scores with the SUM, MAX, and MIN functions.

  • Start by clicking the desired function button (SUM, MAX, or MIN)
  • Select the first column you would like to include
  • Press Enter Another Value (to insert ,)
  • Select the next column you would like to include
  • Repeat until all the desired columns have been included
  • Press End Function (to insert })
  • Press Save

Sample Equation
MAX { [Quiz 01], [Quiz 02], [Quiz 03] }

The equation above returns the maximum (highest) score for Quiz 1, Quiz 2, and Quiz 3.

 
Weight Students' Grades

Functions may include basic math equations. In the example given below:

Assignments 1 is worth 15%
Assignment 2 is worth 10%
All Quizzes (total 140 pts) are worth 30%
All Discussions (total 90 pts) are worth 30%
Final Exam is worth 15%
Totals 100%

Percentages given should always add up to 100%.

Sample Equation
( [Assignment 1]*0.15+[Assignment 2]*0.10+([Quiz Total]/140)*0.30+([discussion]/90)*0.30+[Final Exam]*0.15 )*100
 
The equation above returns a grade based on a 100% system, where each graded item is set to a particular percentage of the grade as indicated by the decimal numbers.


Drop the Lowest Score

Blackboard allows you to drop the lowest in a series of scores automatically using a combination of the SUM and MIN functions.

Note: It's NOT possible to drop the lowest TWO scores automatically.

Sample Equation
SUM { [Quiz 01], [Quiz 02], [Quiz 03] } - MIN { [Quiz 01], [Quiz 02], [Quiz 03] }
 
The equation above totals all the quizzes, and subtracts the lowest score from the sum of Quiz 1, Quiz 2, and Quiz 3.

Review Settings

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It is always a good idea to check any calculated formulas:

  • Click on the ActionLinks ActionLinks icon icon for your Demo Student and selecting Edit Member
  • Manually enter grades for your Demo Student
  • Press Save
  • Verify that your formula(s) calculated the demo student's score correctly

REMEMBER: Each calculated column must be released before students are able to see it.

NOTE: See the How-To on Delivering Letter Grades for help on how to automatically calculate the A, B, C, D, F grades for your class.

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