TO:       All Faculty Using the Blackboard Gradebook Feature

FROM:     Information Technology Services (ITS) 

SUBJECT:  Verify and Adjust Gradebook Settings Prior to Submitting Final Grades

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO ME?

In a proactive effort, ITS is sending this message as a reminder to faculty
using specific Blackboard Gradebook features as they prepare final
end-of-quarter student grades.

This message applies only to faculty who have met the following three specific
and concurrent conditions using the Blackboard Gradebook: 

(1) modified the Running Total to a LETTER grade; AND 
(2) set EXEMPT ITEMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN GRADED to YES; AND 
(3) have BLANK VALUES for any items (Exam, Midterm, Assignment, Homework, etc.)
that students did not complete. 

When all three conditions exist simultaneously, these combined factors will
result in incorrect final letter grade tabulations for students with incomplete
assignments.

HOW CAN I VERIFY AND ADJUST MY GRADEBOOK SETTINGS?

To make sure the Running Total (Letter Grade) is correct, assign a zero ("0")
point value in each column to those students who did not complete the exam,
midterm, assignment, homework, lab, etc. NOTE: A blank value ("-") in any of
these columns will result in an incorrect Running Total, which generates a
different grade than the student earned.

For more information and tutorials, please see the link below:
(http://blackboardsupport.calpoly.edu/content/faculty/tips_gradebook.html#total)


FACULTY ONLINE SUPPORT FOR BLACKBOARD

Tutorials, FAQ's, Tips & Tricks are available; please visit the Cal Poly
Blackboard Support site http://blackboardsupport.calpoly.edu/.

If you have specific concerns or questions, please call the ITS Service Desk at
756-7000.

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Tonia Malone
Instructional Designer / Blackboard Administrator
Building 14, room 102
(805) 756-6336
Technology & Learning Services, California Polytechnic State University, SLO
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