Using Blackboard's Running Total option
- Erin Warner
Use of the Running Total option in the Blackboard system can affect how students perceive their grades.Whether you use a Weighted Total column and/or the Total column, take a look at the effect of using the Running Total option.
Instructions
In your course, choose Grade Center and then Full Grade Center.
Navigate the total/weighted total column that you are using to calculate a grade. Click on the action link (arrow button) at the top of the column.
Choose Edit Column Information.
Scroll down to the option Running Total.
Choose Yes or No.
Click Submit.
Running Total OFF
Null grades, or cells with two dashes (--), are calculated into the total as a zero.
The benefit of turning off the Running Total option is that you don’t have to enter zeros for any assignments a student doesn’t submit. The total possible points will calculate correctly using this option.
Running Total ON
Null grades are not included in the calculation, as if the student is exempt.
If you choose to go with the Running Total turned on (click yes), then the Running Total option will require you to enter zeroes for all graded items that a student doesn’t submit. If no zeros are entered then the total possible points may not be calculated properly.