Blackboard Assignment tool allows a number of attempts (1-9) or unlimited attempts. This guide will look at the options in the assignment setting on how the attempts can be used to calculate the final mark and how marking with multiple attempts works in the Blackboard Assignment marking screen.
Multiple Attempt Options
When Setting up a Blackboard assignment, you may choose to allow multiple attempts so that students can submit a draft copy or revise some elements before the deadline. Usually these are marked based on the final submission made.
The Attempts to mark option only appears if Attempts allowed is more than 1.
The Attempts to mark options are:
- Last attempt – the final mark will be calculated using the mark given to the Last attempt.
- First attempt – the final mark will be calculated using the mark given to the First attempt.
- All attempts – the final mark will be calculated using all the attempts by highest mark, lowest mark or the average mark.
All attempts set-up
When you select mark All attempts an additional field will appear allowing you to choose how you would like to calculate the final mark.
The Final mark calculation drop down menu gives the options of calculate the final mark by using:
- average mark
- highest mark
- lowest mark
This option allows for a workflow where students submit a number of drafts and receive feedback before submitting the next draft or final submission.
Marking Multiple Attempts
When marking multiple attempts, the Needs Marking will show you the latest submission. If you are marking the Last attempt only, it will only show you these attempts in the needs marking workflow.
Which attempt displays in marking screen?
The attempt displaying in the marking screen when you open the student’s submission is dependent on the Attempts to mark setting.
- First attempt – the first attempt by the student will display – you can toggle to all other attempts in the attempts list
- Last attempt – the latest attempt by the student will display – you can toggle to all other attempts in the attempts list
If the Last attempt is selected any new attempts will show as an attempt to mark, even if an earlier attempt has been marked. The latest attempt will display in the marking screen when you open the student’s submission.
All attempts – marking workflow
The All attempts workflow can be used to give students feedback on draft attempts and then opt to calculate the final mark based on either the lowest, highest or average of all marks.
You will need to post the marks and feedback after marking each draft attempt if you wish to allow students to view your feedback and review their work.
When marking an All attempts assessment:
- All the student’s submissions will show as needs marking
- The latest submission will show in the marking screen when you enter
- All submissions can be accessed via the attempts list
- The selected calculation criteria ( lowest, highest or average) will display in the top information bar in the Submission tab.
Attempts list
If marking multiple attempts, you can navigate between them using the Attempts dropdown tab and refer to previous marks and feedback. If you are viewing in a smaller screen the attempts list may appear on the left-hand side.
Multiple submissions in Group Assignments are located slightly differently in the marking screen. If you are viewing in a smaller screen the attempts list may appear in this position also.
Adding attempt mark and feedback
You are able to add feedback and a mark on all Attempts, navigating between student attempts and all other students needing work marked.
Use the attempts list to select the attempt or attempts you wish to mark. For each one you can add summary feedback, complete a rubric or manually add the mark into the mark field.
You will be able to change the Attempts to mark setting during the marking process if you need to change from first attempt to last attempt etc.
If using the All attempts workflow where students are submitting drafts before a final submission you will need to post the attempt marks so that students may view the feedback provided. You can do this with individual marks during the marking process or all at once at the end of the first round of marking.
Calculating the mark
For Last attempt or First attempt the calculation is straight forward. The mark given to the attempt that is either Last of First will show to the students and in the Gradebook as the final mark.
In the case where an additional attempt has been given, in a one attempt only submission point, the final mark will be that given to the second attempt.
All Attempts calculations
Where All attempts has been selected the calculation will show in the Gradebook and to the students based on whether it is based on highest, lowest or average mark.
Once the assessment has closed and all marks have been posted, the allocated highest, lowest or average mark will be shown in the Gradebook.
Guide last updated on January 7, 2025
