Calculating Extra Credit
In Blackboard Ultra, instructors can create an extra credit column in the Gradebook with a maximum score of 0 and include it in the Overall grade calculation. Then, extra credit points can be assigned as needed. 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.
- Enter “Extra Credit” into the field for the new category name.
- Return to the Gradebook.
- In the Gradebook, select the plus button where you want to place the column.
- Select Add Item.
- In the New Item panel, provide the appropriate information. Include 0 as the maximum points and select Extra Credit from the Grade category dropdown.
- Select Save.
The extra credit column appears in the Gradebook. Ensure that the extra credit column that you created is included in the Overall Grade calculation. 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 when using Weighted Grades
When using weighted grades in Blackboard Ultra and Blackboard Original courses, extra credit does not calculate as desired.
As a workaround, 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.