Calculating Extra Credit
In Blackboard Ultra, instructors can create an extra credit column in the Gradebook with a maximum score of 0, and include that column in the Overall grade calculation. Then, extra credit points can be assigned to students by entering them in as their score for the zero-point assessment/column. This method works for only one individual extra credit column, where grades aren't weighted.
When 0 is assigned for the points possible, any grading schema that uses a percentage, such as Percentage or Letter, is represented in the Gradebook as a score. These grading schemas are based on the percentage of the score compared to the points possible. When the points possible are 0, a percentage can't be calculated.
Create a new grade category and add extra credit column
- Go to the Gradebook and select Settings.
- Go to Grade Categories and select Add New Category.
- For the new category name field, type in “Extra Credit”.
- Return to the Gradebook.
- In the Gradebook, identify the space where you would like to place the column, then click on the plus button.
- Select Add Item.
- In the New Item panel, enter the required information: in the Maximum Points field, enter '0', then select 'Extra Credit' from the Grade Category drop-down menu.
- Click Save.
The extra credit column will now appear in your course's Gradebook. You may want to check the Overall Grade calculation to confirm that the new extra credit column is included. Note: After adding points in the extra credit column, a student's total points can equal more than 100%.
Example: You want to add 6 extra credit points to a student's Overall Grade. If a student receives full credit for all gradable items (100 points) and also receives 6 extra credit points, the result is 106 points out of 100 points, or 106%.
Calculating Extra Credit with Weighted Grades
Using weighted grades affects the way that Bb calculates extra credit in an unexpected way: Weighted grades are based on a set percentage, but they also incorporate the assessment scores/point values. When the points possible is set to 0, a percentage can't be calculated.
Instructors should determine their desired total extra credit points/value for the whole/entirety of the course, then associate that with a percentage amount that works well with the extra credit total to produce an optimal/the desired final result.
As a work-around, we recommend deciding how much extra credit you will allow for the entire course and then associating that with a percentage amount you feel comfortable with for the extra credit. Depending on how many extra points a student earns out of the maximum extra credit possible, you can then scale your percent increase into their final grade. This will then need to be manually added to the total grade in Blackboard. Blackboard is aware of the issue and working on a more permanent solution for using extra credit with weighted grades.
Please feel free to schedule a time with an instructional designer or reach out to our Academic Technologists at 701-777-2129 or by email at UND.academic.technologies@UND.edu for any questions on grading in Blackboard.